Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku has blamed officials of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), who connive with smugglers to bring in inferior goods, for the collapse of the country’s industries. He said because these goods are sold at cheaper prices on the open market, they affect the patronage of Made-in- Ghana goods.

Dr. Apraku said such acts have also affected the revenue mobilisation of the country adding that “ if this trend is not reversed immediately, the nations industrial sector which is the engine of growth will grind to a halt.” He also noted that the inferior goods also affect the health status of Ghanaians since they have not been certified by the Ghana Standards Board.

Dr. Apraku was speaking at a weeklong leadership seminar organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs for selected students from the three universities in Ghana. He gave the assurance that government will intensify its efforts to improve the economy.