Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Madam Shamima Muslim has called on Ghanaian businesses to support the fight against smuggling and illicit trade by reporting individuals and companies engaged in illegal business practices.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Staff at the National FMCG Summit and Awards held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Madam Shamima Muslim said protecting legitimate businesses requires a collective effort by government, regulators and the private sector to eliminate counterfeit goods, smuggling and unfair trading practices.
She noted that businesses that comply with the law, pay taxes, invest in quality products and create jobs deserve to operate in a fair and predictable marketplace.
“No economy can achieve sustainable industrial growth if legitimate businesses are forced to compete with counterfeit goods, smuggled products and unfair trading practices,” she said.
According to her, the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division continues to recover millions of cedis in lost revenue each year through efforts to combat smuggling and strengthen border enforcement while protecting compliant businesses and consumers.
Madam Shamima Muslim, however, stressed that the fight against illicit trade cannot be left to state institutions alone.
“We would also need information from those of you who are doing things right, because many of you may know those who are not doing things right, and you should be whistleblowers in exposing their bad deeds,” she urged.
She said the government remains committed to working with the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, law enforcement agencies and industry players to strengthen market surveillance, enforce quality standards and eliminate unfair competition.
Madam Shamima Muslim added that protecting legitimate businesses also safeguards consumers, preserves confidence in Ghana’s markets and protects government revenue while creating an environment where innovation, quality and enterprise can thrive.
Source: Mubarak Yakubu
