Eight Shops Ordered to Cease Operations, Shop Attendants Apprehended.
A taskforce comprising the Tree Crop Development Authority, the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and National Security conducted an exercise on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, to crack down on smuggled vegetable oil in the Ghanaian market.
During the operation, eight shops were ordered to cease operations for allegedly selling smuggled vegetable oil, and some shop attendants were picked up for investigation. The exercise began in the Greater Accra Region, with visits to shops in Kasoa, Mallam Market, McCarthy Hill, and Adabraka.
At McCarthy Hill, Perfect End Logistics was instructed to cease operations due to suspected smuggled vegetable oil found at its facility, despite claims by shop attendants that the oil was locally produced. The head of the taskforce, Paul Amaning, emphasized the need for proof of legitimate importation, particularly after identifying “Made in Malaysia” markings on the products.
In Kasoa New Market, retailers blamed their suppliers for the products while expressing concerns about the scarcity of locally made vegetable oil. Three shop attendants were apprehended at this market for attempting to deceive task force members by withholding the key to unlock a shop containing smuggled vegetable oil.
The taskforce also educated market women about the risks associated with selling unbranded oil. At Mallam Market, one shop was shut down, and in Adabraka, shop attendants insisted that their products were locally sourced despite “Made in Indonesia” markings, expressing concern about the impact of the shop closure on their employees.