Tema, Jan 27, GNA - The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has banned five clearing agencies from operating in Tema and Takoradi ports for their involvement in fraudulent deals to clear goods in Tema port between November 2005 and January 2006.

It is believed that the activities of these agencies - Yamneb Company Limited, Deltrans Agency, Taokumah Service Limited, BOT Ways Freight Services and Dave Cargo - have caused the nation hundreds of millions of cedis.

A statement signed by Mr Ben Owusu Mensah, the Director General of GPHA, cited an instance where Yamneb Company attempted to use forged documents for bales of used clothing to clear cars. It said a seven-member committee of Enquiry chaired by Mr Emmanuel Mante, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Shippers Council, has been set up to investigate the case and bring offenders to book. Five GPHA workers have also been interdicted pending the outcome of the investigations.

They are Hamza Osman, Revenue Clerk, Samuel Crabbe, Delivery Clerk, Joseph Adjei, Machine Foreman, Foster Boateng, Christian Mensah and Samuel Apenteng, all Terminal Clerks.