A joint taskforce led by the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA) has intercepted three Man Diesel cargo trucks carrying smuggled cooking oil at the Tetteh Quarshie roundabout in Accra.
According to Dr. Paul Amaning, leader of the taskforce, National Security operatives received intelligence about the vegetable oil being smuggled into the country from Togo. The oil was brought in through unapproved routes to evade taxes and import duties.
“The smuggling activities represent a significant loss to criminal syndicates trying to bypass legal channels,” Dr. Amaning emphasized. “Our mission is to ensure that locally manufactured cooking oils are sold in the market to boost the economy and create jobs within the value chain.”
Dr. Amaning warned the public, particularly market women, to refrain from smuggling vegetable oil through land borders into the country. The taskforce, along with personnel from the Customs Preventive Division, escorted the three trucks to the Airport branch for an official examination.
The owners of the seized cooking oil have been asked to provide all necessary documentation for a thorough review by the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division.
The joint taskforce comprises members from the TCDA, the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG), the Ghana Revenue Authority—Customs Division, and National Security.
