We are grateful to announce that following false allegations made before Christmas against three members of our staff, all charges have now been dropped and their reputations can be cleared.

On the 20th December 2006 Michael Ayache, Managing Director of Market Direct Limited, Mohammed Salami and Isaac Quansah, employees of Freight Links Limited, (all members of the Finatrade Group of companies) were arrested and incarcerated on charges of importing cocaine; something neither they, their sector companies or the Finatrade Group knew anything about. It came as a bolt out of the blue. It was shocking, and absolutely false.

The three men spent Christmas and New Year behind bars and were not released till the 12th January 2007 – in all twenty three days in custody. We are thankful to God that the Finatrade Group, Market Direct Limited, Freight Links Limited and the persons named - Michael Ayache, Mohammed Salami and Isaac Quansah - have been released and are absolved of complicity in the cocaine matter.

As the acting Director of Public Prosecution said upon assessment of the evidence, it has been decided not to press charges against Michael Ayache and the two others. Accordingly, they were discharged by the Court. Indeed, as a result of information provided by informants, a third party, a Panamanian, GOODING BAAZIER RICARDO ENRIQUE has been charged before the same Court for placing the very same bag containing cocaine in the container. This individual is absolutely unknown to us and is in no way connected to any of the members of the Finatrade Group of Companies.

Neither the Finatrade Group, Market Direct Limited, Freight Links Limited, Michael Ayache, Mohammed Salami or Isaac Quansah had ANYTHING WHATSOEVER to do with this despicable act of cocaine importation. In spite of their innocence, the three men have suffered tremendously and our company has been buffeted mercilessly by these totally false allegations against us. It is unfortunate that some commentators were quick to judge us before investigations had been concluded.

We thank all those who have assisted in whatever way to ensure our vindication. We thank those who believed in our innocence and stood by us. And we thank those business associates, customers, clients and especially our devoted workforce whose loyalty and belief in us remained unwavering.

We also thank the Attorney General’s Department for acting positively when the truth became evident. We thank God that truth shall always prevail.

We do however have a few comments to make:

i. Criminal elements are trying to turn West Africa into a gateway for drug trafficking, especially from South America to Europe. Any responsible and law abiding Chief Executive of a company or importer stands the risk of being in our shoes and, despite all innocence, suffer the humiliation, the stigma and pain of being accused and locked up merely because a substance is found on a container consigned to his/her company.

ii. There is great need to put in place measures for thorough and conclusive investigations of facts before subjecting one to such indignity and harm by detaining in police cells or sending persons to prison custody who are otherwise innocent of any criminal act.

iii. The law of no bail for drug related cases should be firmly buttressed on prima facie case being professionally established.

iv. At a time when the nation is trying to woo Foreign Investors, it is imperative to be extra circumspect and cautious in such proceedings and particularly in giving publicity to allegations which are under investigation and unproven.

v. The Government should put in place requisite safeguards to protect legitimate businesses such as ours from such injustice.

Accordingly we appeal to the government of Ghana and other West African states as a matter of urgency to reinstate PRE-SHIPMENT INSPECTION from destinations suspected or known to be likely sources of dealings in narcotics.

vi. Finally, the Finatrade Group is willing to support and partner in any initiative by the Government to combat drug trafficking in the country.

Thank you and God bless Ghana and us all.