Restriction on imports of textile products lifted

The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has announced a temporary suspension of the restriction placed on the importation of African textile prints into the country.

The service has, therefore, announced for the  information of traders, importers and the general public that the directive that the importation of African textile prints can be done through the Takoradi Port alone has been temporarily suspended, effective Wednesday, December 17, 2008.

A statement signed by an Assistant Commissioner and Head of Public Relations at CEPS, Ms Annie Anipa, said by that directive, importers were now free to import textiles through all customs ports, stations or other approved entry points in the country.

It said the African textile prints referred to by the service were Real Super Wax Block prints, Super Real wax, Imitation Wax, Java Prints and Fancy prints made with designs and motifs for the African market.

Meanwhile, the police at Somanya in the Eastern Region have impounded 250  pieces of uncustomed wax prints near a house at Atua, a suburb of Krobo-Odumase, reports A. Kofoya Tetteh.

The goods, said to have been brought in from Togo, have been sent to the Somanya Police Station, while two women, Lydia Tetteh and Peace Bakah, who claimed ownership, are assisting the police in their investigations.

Briefing the Daily Graphic at Somanya on Wednesday, the Akuse District Police Commander, ASP Bernard Twum Barimah, said the police had a tip-off that the goods were being sent to a house at Atua on that day so he promptly alerted the officer in charge of the Somanya Police Station, Inspector S.O. Kwabi, to lead his men to the spot to apprehend the smugglers.

He said on reaching the spot, the police found the items concealed in sacks and abandoned near a house but nobody initially claimed ownership.

According to ASP Twum, after the goods had been sent to the police station, Lydia and Peace followed up to claim ownership and said they had brought them in from Togo.

ASP Twum, who stated that the goods would be sent to the Regional Police Headquarters in Koforidua for further instructions, said the two women were helping the police in further investigations.

He said bad elements in the area, especially smugglers, had taken advantage of the heavy workload on the police as a result of the general election to intensify their criminal activities but warned that the police were ever prepared to deal with any given situation.

Source: Daily Graphic