Traders in Aflao and Accra have staged a massive demonstration against Joseph Allan, Sector Commander of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division at Aflao Collections, calling for his immediate removal from post.
The traders who have earlier announced their intentions by writing to the police of their intended demonstration, yesterday, took to the streets of Aflao in protest to demand the dismissal of Joseph Allan.
Information gathered indicate that, the police however tried to scuttle their plans by ordering the traders not to embark on the demonstration because in their letter to the police, the group failed to state the time of their demonstration even though the date for the demonstration was stated clearly.
The traders who suspected foul play and an attempt to cowed them into boycotting their planned protest, took to the streets in defiance of the police.
Addressing the media during the demonstration, they averred that Joseph Allan’s leadership style and the conduct of customs officers under his command are creating an unfriendly and corrupt trading environment, particularly at the Aflao border.
According to Afi Adzageli one of the leaders of the group, Joseph Allan and his team has “eroding confidence” in the GRA and Customs Division, employing “nagging tactics” at the border that disrupt their work and introducing hostile procedures that put traders under undue pressure.
Gifty Anna Julia, Belinda Hormenu, Doris Agamah, and Grace Edzorhoho, also leaders indicated in an interview that officers under the instruction of Joseph Allan take additional fees or bribes from traders to avoid what they describe as “unnecessary delays,” in clear their goods and allow the goods to their destinations, and traders who refuse to comply reportedly face the threat of their goods being impounded.
The angry traders outlined a series of grievances they intend to highlight during the protest.
The protesters wielded placards with inscriptions: “JOSEPH ALLAN IS DISTURBING TRADERS IN ALFAO, JOSEPH ALLAN CEPS IN AFLAO BORDER-NO MORE JOSEPH ALLAN, JOSEPH ALLAN MUST GO, KETU SOUTH WE TRADE AND LOOK AFTER OUR CHILDREN,” to press home their demand.
A particularly controversial measure under Allan’s command, they say, is the complete ban on cooking oil, a staple commodity for many traders.
They also pointed out that the restrictions and the often “intimidating” encounters with customs officials have alienated the local community, creating an environment of fear and mistrust.
The traders further claim that Allan selectively enforces customs inspections, which they argue disproportionately favors certain importers.
They allege that this practice allows some goods to pass through without the full customs duties, putting compliant traders at a disadvantage.
The group has appealed to the Commissioner of GRA’s Customs Division to launch an immediate investigation into Allan’s administration, calling for his suspension until the issues are thoroughly examined.
The protest, they assert, was to draw government and stakeholder attention to the “culture of fear and corruption” which has pervaded the customs operations at the Aflao border under Joseph Allan.
