The Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bottling Company Ghana, Mr. Felix Gomis, has disclosed that over 150,000 crates of coca cola products, valued at approximatelyUS$700,000 is smuggled from Nigeria into Ghana every month.
He stated that the situation is causing the nation to lose millions of dollars in taxes, affecting government’s revenue.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra, Mr. Gomis emphasized the urgent need for stronger collaboration among government agencies to tackle smuggling.
“We face some challenges when it comes to smuggling of some of our products into the country. We believe that some actions must be taken to look at what’s going on”, he said.
He emphasized the need to intensify collaboration to halt the canker, to block revenue loopholes.
He cautioned that the situation significantly undermines the competitiveness of local production, threatens jobs, and affects the country’s efforts at meeting its tax obligation.
Describing the visit as significant step in addressing the issue of smuggling, Mr. Gomis appealed to the GRA to work closely with the private sector to halt acts of smuggling.
“It is indeed a pleasure to have been received here in such a big audience… Coca-Cola has been in this country for the past 30 years… We continue to believe in investing heavily in the country so that we can sustain employment,” he noted.
Touching on recent investments made by the company, Mr. Gomis highlighted the opportunities created by the beverage industry to national development.
Addressing the issue, the Commissioner of the Customs Division, Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, emphasized the importance of Coca-Cola as a multinational manufacturer and development partner in Ghana’s economy.
He acknowledged the damaging effects of smuggling on legitimate businesses and assured the beverage company of GRA’s readiness to respond.
“We understand the adverse impacts smuggling has on business, undermining fair competition and also affecting sales and revenue,” Brigadier General Annan stated. “But I wish to assure you that the Customs Division views this concern with the utmost seriousness. We are committed to working with you and other stakeholders to devise effective strategies to tackle smuggling… Through collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement strategies, we can significantly reduce this menace.”
The Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong also reaffirmed the GRA’s commitment to protecting legitimate businesses, emphasizing that Ghana’s broader economic recovery depends heavily on empowering local industries and generating domestic revenue.
“At the end of the day… it is your business growing, your business flourishing, that will generate the necessary taxes… For every revenue that is lost, we are denying a child somewhere in this country an opportunity to go to school, or access good healthcare,” Mr. Sarpong remarked.
He praised Coca-Cola for its longstanding contribution to Ghana’s industrial landscape and encouraged continued collaboration.
“See this visit as the beginning of a collaborative effort… We are committed to work with you, as well as the entire private sector, to make sure that these areas that hinder your goods and businesses are minimized so you can freely perform your business activities in the right way,” he concluded.
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