Customs officers of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Tema port in collaboration with officials with Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of Forestry Commission have impounded all the 51 20-foot containers of rosewood believed to have been smuggled from Brong Ahafo and parts of the Northern Regions by Sidacom Woods Limited and meant for export to India. The face value is believed to be US$500,000.
Mrs. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources led a team of security men and the media to open all the 51 containers and ascertain the nature of the content, which was neatly packed for shipment.
It was discovered during the inspection that some of the containers were packed with Papao, another wood whose export is permissible by TIDD -- bringing the total consignment to 60% rosewood and 40% Papao.
Mrs. Barbara Asamaoh congratulated the Custom officials who seized the containers which were ready for shipment for their vigilance, and urged them to sustain their efforts and hard work to nip in the bud any moves in smuggling of this nature.
This, she said, will enable the environmental degradation of Brong Ahafo Region and its environs to be minimised and also serve as a deterrent to recalcitrant wood smugglers.
Mr. Kwesi Ahiakpor, Chief Collector Customs Division of GRA who briefed the minister, said they became suspicious of the consignment and seized it to enable a thorough investigation to be conducted.
At the moment, he said, the 51 containers will be kept at the state warehouse at Tema Port pending conclusion of the investigation. “There was a false declaration of the consignment and they will be in detention for 30 days, after which they will be confiscated by the state.â€Â
Dr. Ben Donkor, Executive Director of TIDD of the Forestry Commission, said his outfit will remain vigilant to ensure that legally-felled timber is allowed for export. He said rosewood costs US$600 per cubic metre whilst Papao is US$924 per cubic metre on the international market.
By Kwame Mensah | B&FT Online | Ghana
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS