The Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) has issued an ultimatum to the government, urging it to address allegations of harassment and intimidation faced by its members from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

GUTA claims that this situation has resulted in the closure of numerous businesses in the country and forced others to relocate.

One of the main concerns raised by GUTA is the ongoing harassment along the Accra-Kumasi and Takoradi-Kumasi routes, which the association states has been a recurring issue since 2022.

During a press conference held in Accra, Dr. Joseph Obeng, the President of GUTA, highlighted the challenges faced by traders on the Accra-Kumasi road.

Dr. Obeng pointed out that both regional and national task forces operate without proper oversight, exacerbating the difficulties faced by traders.

He emphasized that goods, for which duties have been duly paid and cleared at the port, are frequently seized by Customs task forces.

Similar challenges were reported on the Takoradi-Kumasi road, particularly beyond the Anwiankwata barrier. Goods with proper duty payments and port clearance are often seized by Customs task forces, leading to extortion, delays, and re-examinations that result in hefty penalties for the goods’ owners.

Dr. Obeng noted that numerous businesses across the country have already closed down due to the alleged discriminatory measures enforced by the Customs Division of GRA.