THE Northern Regional Commander of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Mr Ernest Frimpong-Nuamah, has expressed concern about the influx of smuggled wax prints on the market in the Tamale metropolis.
“If you carry out an inspection of the cloths that are being sold in the metropolis, you will find out that a lot of them have been smuggled into the area. We are formulating strategies to address the situation,” he stated.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah told the Daily Graphic in Tamale that his outfit could not embark on any exercise immediately to check such practices, since some residents might read political meanings into it, particularly as the December polls were approaching.
He, however, said the CEPS would soon organise a forum to sensitise residents, including traders, to the need for them to honour their tax obligations and to avoid smuggling.
The commander commended the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service for supporting the CEPS to check the influx of uncustomed motorbikes in the metropolis.
Mr Frimpong-Nuamah said in spite of the effects of tax evasion by some traders and residents, the CEPS was determined to meet its revenue target for this year.
He expressed regret that the Yendi and Saboba sectors might not achieve their targets because of the floods.
He said the Saboba area, for instance, had been cut off by the floods and efforts were being made to address the situation.
The commander said lack of logistics, including vehicles, and inadequate staff were some of the challenges facing his outfit in its bid to increase its revenue generation efforts.
Some dealers in wax print at the Tamale Central Market, however, denied ever evading tax or dealing in smuggled goods.
A market woman who pleaded anonymity, said “most of us are running at a loss because it is difficult for the CEPS authorities to arrest those who really smuggle the goods to this area”.
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