Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - Mr Thomas Mills, Leader of the Anti- Revenue Leakages Special Monitoring Team, of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has expressed disquiet about the extortion of money from traders by some security personnel on the Accra-Aflao road.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Thursday, he said anti-revenue leakages operations on the route as well as the Ghana-Togo and Ghana-Cote d' Ivoire borders revealed that traders who failed to pay monies demanded from the personnel are often delayed at security check points or have their custom documents confiscated. He noted that along the Accra-Aflao road there are about 15 check points at night.

Mr Mills called on the Ministry of the Interior and the Inspector General of Police, to remove the illegal check points, which he said is undermining revenue mobilisation.

He observed that the traders are compelled to add the monies extorted from them on their goods, which eventually leads to artificial price hikes.

Mr Mills asked the traders to report personnel who take money from them and also ensure that they pay the appropriate duties on their goods.

He said most revenue leakages at the entry points are done in collaboration between traders and revenue agents.

"The team wants to assure the general public that it would be tough on those who engage in such nefarious activities.

"Personnel who undervalue goods for their own interest would have themselves to blame if they are caught.

Mr Mills also expressed alarm about the smuggling of rice into the country, saying "the law will soon catch up with those involved in the illegal act."

He called on the revenue agencies to weed out the bad nuts among them who are not prepared to serve their country selflessly.

He said the team is stepping up anti-revenue leakages operations as the Yuletide approaches.

Mr Mills said the team would collaborate with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, other affiliated transport organisations, the revenue taskforces of the district assemblies and the public to step up awareness on anti-revenue leakages at the door steps of the people.