Importers and Exporters slam gov’t over Special Operations Unit

Business News of Thursday, 8 January 2015

Source: Starrfmonline.com

Dr Clement Apaak Presidential Staffer

Importers and exporters in Ghana have expressed their displeasure with the work of the Special Operations Unit at the Presidency.

Government last year instituted the Special Operations Unit to check and authenticate the alleged fraudulent activities that had over the years denied government the necessary revenue, especially from the ports.

It will also curtail the unnecessary delays at the Port and curb the numerous stages that had created untold hardships on importers at the Ports.

But the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Union, Samson Saki Awingobit said the unit is breaching certain procedure at the ports.

His allegations have, however, been disputed by spokesperson for the Special Operations Unit, Dr. Clement Apaak.

Speaking on Morning Starr Thursday, Clement Apaak told host Kafui Dey that the special operations unit has not breached any procedure.

According to Apaak, the President set up the unit to empower agencies tasked with revenue generation to act as they should.

“The fact is that our systems are not working the way we will all want them to, and matters of revenue are most important…it is a temporary measure, and that is why it is a unit, it is not supposed to be permanent,” Apaak said.