The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) interacted with the executives and members of GUTA.
The goal of the interaction was to educate GUTA members on EOCO’s mandate and activities, and discuss illicit financial flows and their impact on Ghana’s economy.
It was further to clarify import declaration form requirements, procedures and foster collaboration between EOCO and GUTA to prevent economic and organised crime.
Dr. Joseph Obeng, the president of GUTA, Mr. Joseph Paddy, the Public Relations Officer and other executives of the association welcome the EOCO team.
In his welcome address, the President stated that EOCO and GUTA have a good relationship, which has helped in addressing some pertinent issues concerning the Association.
The Head of Public Affairs; SO Faustina Lartey who led the EOCO team, expressed her appreciation to the executive members of GUTA for gathering its executives from all over Ghana and the EU to partake in the engagement.
The team presented an overview of EOCO’s mandate, highlighting the agency’s role in combating economic and organised crime, how cases are initiated at EOCO and why the phenomenon of Illicit Financial Flows is of concern to the Office.
The concept of illicit financial flows, including money laundering, tax evasion, and smuggling in line with EOCO’s mandate were discussed with the participants.
The team also provided guidance on accurate declaration procedures and common mistakes to avoid during the importation process.
The presentation further included the definition of customs declarations, its legal implications and some consequences of unapproved activities such as moving money out of the country under the guise of international trade.
The team highlighted some penalties for these activities which include fines, confiscation of goods and even imprisonment.
Following the presentation by DSO Fafa Shine Deku (2I/C) and ASO Detective Stanley Fixin Armah, GUTA committed to spreading the information of the sensitization received to all its other members.
The GUTA members shared some concerns about compliance with the Import Declaration process and bemoaned the high cost of importation of goods into the country.
The President of the GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng thanked the team for the engagement and expressed the hope that the relationship between the EOCO and the Association will be strengthened through more of such interactions and that EOCO would come to better understand the practical nature of GUTA’s work.
This he believed would go a long way to shape best practice among GUTA members so as not to fall foul of the law.
