GENERAL NEWS

GIS intercepts 1,950 bags of PFJ fertilizers being smuggled to B. Faso

Six Border Patrol Officers of Ghana Immigration Service on patrols have turn down a Ghc25,000.00 bribe and have arrested two trucks loaded with bags of smuggled fertilizers meant for government flagship planting for Food and Jobs social intervention initiative in the Upper West Region.

A total of 1,950 bags were retrieved from the trucks, which were being smuggled to neighbouring Burkina Faso through the Fielmo unapproved route in the Sissala West District.

Narrating the incident to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Lawyer Kwame Asuah-Taki who was on a –nine day tour in the Region, the Hamile Sector Commander, Chief Superintendent Felix Agyemang-Bosompem, said they received a tip-off at around 1:00am last Friday, August 1, 2019, that two trucks were being loaded with fertilizers meant for the government to be smuggled outside the country through the Fielmo unapproved route.

He immediately dispatched six officers to lay ambush at the said route where the trucks were expected to pass to carry out their ill-thought plan at the ugly hours of the morning. A search was conducted on the trucks when it arrived and 1,950 bags of Government´s NPK fertilizer were intercepted.

The Sector Commander also revealed that his Men who conducted the operation were offered GHC25,000.00 by the owners of the loot as their share if they allowed them pass which was rejected while calling for reinforcement from the Military and Police since they were out-numbered. The Men also disclosed, the smugglers confessed were going to make Ghc60,000.00 profit should they have successfully smuggled the goods.

The Comptroller-General of Immigration commended Officers for their selfless service while assuring them of an award package.He said, ¨the President in his own         God-given wisdom to increase production rolled out the planting for food and jobs with more money but look at how some greedy Ghanaians are helping collapse the programme, he lamented.

He called on Ghanaians to release more information to security personnel to better protect them when they are well informed with situations on the ground.

The impounded trucks with the fertilizers have since been handed over to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority inHamile for further actions and handing over to the Wa Regional Coordinating Council.

The CGI had earlier visited the Tumu border post where he interacted with personnel and also crossed to the Burkina Faso side to interact with officials of the Burkinabe Security Policié on grounds. He also inspected and observed the living conditions of Immigration Officers in Nandom,Lawra, Wa, Dabor, Maase, Wecheau, TalawoNaaOffices, as part of his tour to that Region.

Accompanying the CGI werethe Chief Staff Officer, Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI) Lawrence AgyeiAgyapong, Head of Protocol, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) Linda Asare-Mantey and the GIS Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Gifty Amgborme.

Source: GIS

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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