On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, a joint task force comprised of the Tree Crop Development Authority, the Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and National Security undertook an operation to clamp down on the sale of smuggled vegetable oil within the Ghanaian market.
During the operation, eight shops were instructed to halt their activities over suspicions of selling smuggled vegetable oil, leading to the apprehension of several shop attendants for further investigation.
Commencing in the Greater Accra Region, the task force visited various establishments in Kasoa, Mallam Market, McCarthy Hill, and Adabraka.
At McCarthy Hill, Perfect End Logistics was directed to cease operations following the discovery of suspected smuggled vegetable oil, despite assertions from staff that the oil was domestically produced.
Paul Amaning, the task force leader, stressed the importance of validating legitimate importation, especially upon identifying “Made in Malaysia” labels on the products.
In Kasoa New Market, similar actions were taken, with retailers attributing responsibility to their suppliers while expressing concerns about the limited availability of locally produced vegetable oil.
At the same market, three shop attendants were apprehended by National Security task force members for attempting to conceal smuggled vegetable oil by withholding access to their shop. The task force also utilized the opportunity to educate market vendors about the hazards of vending unbranded oil.
Proceeding to Mallam Market, one shop’s operations were halted before the task force moved on to Adabraka, where shop attendants insisted their products were locally sourced despite being marked as “Made in Indonesia.” They voiced apprehensions about the repercussions of shop closures on their employees.
