Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako also known as Chairman Wontumi has assured the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA’s) branch in the Ashanti Region to stay calm regarding the recent allegations of intimidation by the Ghana Custom Services in their quest to carry out their lawful businesses.
The traders often complain about unnecessary holds-ups of their goods in transit especially, those being transported from the ports or the eastern border towns.
The distraught traders lament further in their daily complaints of harassments that the acts of intimidation are deliberately orchestrated by the CEPS officials and their IRA counterparts to deliberately frustrate them so in the end they would compromise by parting with bribe money.
Chairman Wontumi who called into a live broadcast radio programme on Wontumi TV/Radio on Thursday to respond to complaints raised by Daniel Owoahene Acheampong the deputy secretary of the GUTA’s branch Ashanti, said “I’ll meet them and I know by God’s grace all the intimidations will stop immediately.”
He reacted further, “We’ll not allow this to happen. Anyone behind this will not be tolerated and it’ll be like ‘Kakai’. I’m not going to accept this at all”
Chairman Wontumi who apparently empathized with the traders for the losses they incurred due to the negative impact of the COVID-19 on the global economy, a situation which has been compounded by the Russian- was upbeat in his determination to intervene to help right the wrongs.
He gave the assurance to follow up to the root and get all authorities engaged the needed stakeholders to get the problem solved.
Chairman Wontumi appreciated the efforts and contributions to the overall national economy by Ghanaian traders and assured them that he will ensure that their business interests are protected at all times.
“Asante is all about trade so all businesses will be protected in the Region, so I’ll immediately meet those who can remedy the situation possibly, engage state actors Minister, KMA boss and all other stakeholders to have this this mater resolved”
Earlier, the secretary of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti Region, Daniel Owoahene Acheampong told the host how traders are been intimidated while transporting their goods to the depot.
“We ask our colleagues from other regions and what they tell us is different from ours. The harassment has been going on for years and all necessary efforts have been made but to no avail”
He called on government to as matter of urgency, speak to the issue.