An eleven-month old letter signed by then Deputy National Security Coordinator, Edward Asomani, which has gone viral, has revealed that the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, was urged to investigate a case of tax evasion against Colonel (rtd) Kwadwo Damoah, the Commissioner of Customs of GRA.
The status of the investigation involving two cargo trucks which loaded goods from the Aflao border in the Volta Region last year, is unknown.
It is unclear, why the 11-months old letter is now making the rounds. Some, however, feel it is to set the stage for the President, Nana Akufo-Addo to sack Col. Damoah, a former Pay Officer at the Armed Forces, as well as the Director of Manpower Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces, who has a history of emotional outbursts and throwing tantrums.
The Akufo-Addo government is cash-strapped and looking for ways and means around the situation to increase revenue, and for the Customs boss to be caught allegedly aiding tax evasion, one thing is certain; his days are numbered.
According to the letter, dated Thursday, October 21, 2021 and copied the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, a Customs Intelligence team led by John Agbawu with assistance from operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), intercepted the two cargo trucks at Dzorwulu, near the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra.
It was titled “Tax evasion by importers through Aflao border”.
The revelation, comes as the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Kissi Agyabeng, has announced he is beginning a probe into vehicles auctioned by the Customs Division since July 2016 and has directed the Customs to produce documents covering auctions done between the said period.
The OSP, in a statement also ordered the Customs Division to stop all auctions until the probe is completed.
In the case of the cargo trucks, they were suspected to have under-declared and misdescribed their goods at the Aflao border.
Upon the arrest, the trucks with registration numbers GW 6957-13 and GT 8502-16, were escorted to the Customs Laboratory Division at the Kotoka International Airport Roundabout for re-examination.
“It was revealed, after the re-examination, that a substantial number of goods in the trucks were undeclared and thus, no duties were paid on same,” the letter said.
But during the interrogation, the traders were said to be discourteous towards the officers with one allegedly placing a call to Col. Damoah, Immediately, there was a call to Mr Agbawu from one Kojo Bonsu, who is said to be a Staff Officer of the Commissioner.
“Further, Agbawu received another call from Adu Kyei, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, CD-GRA, who also gave similar instructions.
“Additionally, the trader who placed the call to Col. Damoah recorded the arresting officers on video, to be forwarded to him.”
The letter signed by Mr Asomani, who now acts as the National Security Coordinator, urged the GRA Commissioner-General to investigate the matter and report back to the Ministry.
“Your outfit is further urged to take necessary steps to prevent senior officials from undermining the work of customs officers at the various custom checkpoints across the country.”
Col. Damoah has recently been in the news after a report by the Special Prosecutor implicated the office of the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority in corruption-related acts involving Labianca Company Limited.
The OSP, recovered GH¢1.074 million from the Company owned by a Council of State member, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh.
The money was recovered as a shortfall of revenue arising from the issuance of the unlawful customs advance, meant to be duties paid to the state, following the importation of the frozen foods.
In the wake of the report, some Anti-Corruption groups called for sanctions against the Commissioner.
Colonel Kwadwo Damoah, has described calls for his sanction over the report implicating his office in corruption-related acts as unfounded.
Below is the full confidential statement by the National Security on the Tax Evasion
1. Reports indicate that a Customs Intelligence team of the Customs—Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (CD-GRA) led by John Agbawu, with assistance from operatives of the Special Monitoring Team (SMT) of the National Intelligence Bureau, on 08/10/2021, intercepted and arrested two cargo trucks at DZORWULU traffic Light, near Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra on suspicion of under-declaration and misdescription of goods.
2. Gathered, the trucks, with registration numbers GW 6957 -13 and GT 8502 -16 from AFLAO, upon arrest, were escorted to the Customs Laboratory Division at Airport Roundabout for re-examination.
3. It was revealed, after the re-examination, that a substantial number of goods in the trucks were undeclared and thus, no duties were paid on same. Kindly find attached the list of declared and undeclared goods in the trucks.
4. It needs stating that, during the interception, the traders were discourteous towards the arresting officers, with one of them allegedly placing a call to Col. DAMOAH, Commissioner of CD-GRA. Subsequently, AGBAWU received a call from one Kojo BONSU, Staff Officer to the Commissioner, instructing him to release the trucks unconditionally.
5 Further, AGBAWU received another call from Adu KYEI, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, CD-GRA. who also gave similar instructions. Additionally, the trader who placed the call to Col, DAMOAH recorded the arresting officers on video, to be forwarded to him.
6. Given the implications of this development, particularly those related to tax evasion, on the domestic revenue mobilization efforts of GRA, your outfit is urged to investigate the matter and update this Ministry accordingly.
7. Your outfit is further urged to take necessary steps to prevent senior officials from undermining the work of customs officers at the various custom checkpoints across the country.
Regards.
