Sylva Emeka-Okereke
13 November 2009
Lagos — Ghanaian exhibitors at the ongoing fair have chided security operatives at the border post for impounding their goods, destined to the fair for exhibition.
The 43 delegates, who arrived Lagos fair over the weekend, said their goods were impounded by Ghanaian security operatives over undisclosed reasons, saying the situation caused unnecessary delay and additional costs on the goods.
The leader of the Ghanaian delegation, Mr. Nyarko Mensah, who is also the Head of Ghana Export Promotion Council told Daily Champion at the fair that the companies have prepared their pavilions in the past four days, even as they are yet to receive their goods.
He said the goods were initially intercepted by security officials of Benin Republic as their trucks were off-loaded and the inventory of the goods taken. "The checking of the goods alone took over two days before they were eventually loaded. We see the action as deliberate attempt to frustrate Ghanaians from show-casing their products at the trade fair", he said.
He however said the Ghana High Commission to Nigeria has gone to the border with clearing agents to seek intervention for the release of the goods.
Managing Director of Asarco Foods and Beverages, Mr. David Asare-Koranteng said it was discouraging to note that proper arrangements were not put on ground to assist participants to clear their goods, expressing worries that the demand for duty on the goods destined for the fair was against the stipulation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The idea of ECOWAS Trade Liberalization (ETLS) was to encourage free movement of goods, services and people, saying the Customs totally negate the purpose, saying Ghanaian was participating in the fair to showcase their products and broker relationship with distributors.
Managing Director of Extra Fashion, Mrs. Margaret Effah said some companies have been in the country, exhibiting at the fair, expressing worries that with the extortion of her goods, she would likely go back, if the trucks were not released. We have been waiting and waiting and no result has come from it. I just hope various governments of both countries would intervene and release our goods," she said.
The companies have beautiful jewelries, garments, apparels, foods and beverages, cosmetics, beads, shoes and bags and among others.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
