We’re investigating imported rotten chicken case – CEPS

The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) division, of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has said it is investigating a case of alleged imported rotten chicken into the country.

The Herald newspaper reported on Monday that thousands of Ghanaians may be in danger as credible information they have from the Tema Ports suggests that, some unwholesome frozen food products, have found their way into the country under bizarre circumstances.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, a member of the CEPS communication team, Paa Kow Ekuma, said although they do not think something untoward had occurred, they won’t leave anything to chance, as a probe is underway into the incident.

“That issue has come up and we are seriously looking at it – investigations are going on from different angles. It’s a little sensitive now, and it’s a little early to draw conclusions. But what we know is that, when it comes to Customs, we will always make sure that we will not find ourselves at the wrong side of the law.”

“In the case of this chicken, yes, the full work hasn’t been done yet, and we have our officers down there and I’m sure in a matter of a day or two, we will come to a conclusion on it. But nothing really has gone wrong that has to do with Customs having done the wrong thing or even the FDA,” he added.

This comes on the back of some impounded rotten mackerel that found its way into the country.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) also on October 1, 2017 destroyed 4,500 cartons of unwholesome canned fish, that were said to be on transit to Togo, but were diverted onto the Ghanaian market.

Mr. Ekumah explained that, with the mackerels, they were bound for Togo and not Ghana.

“The other one that has to do with sardine, that one was diverted goods. They were not meant for Ghana’s consumption, they were meant for Togo. So with that one, nothing really went wrong as far as CEPS or FDA are concerned. When there are goods declared as transit consignment, the FDA would not be hauled to come and work on them just because they are not meant for home consumption.”

“Customs will not be tasked to exact duties on them because they are not meant for home consumption.  Ours is to make sure we expedite any documentation that has to do with them, and then we police them to leave the country – at the point of exit. What we do is that, we try to attach satellite devices to them,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Food and Drugs Authority, FDA, has explained that, only a portion of the entire container had rotten chicken in it, and they were sorted out and destroyed with the help of veterinary officers.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

 

The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) division, of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has said it is investigating a case of alleged imported rotten chicken into the country. The Herald newspaper reported on Monday that thousands of Ghanaians may be in danger as credible information they have from the Tema Ports suggests that, some ... Read Full Story