The Minister for Agric, Dr. Afriyie Akoto, has revealed that an Inter-Ministerial Committee has been set up to tackle the smuggling of grains from the country.

This follows an expose on the illegal trade by JoyNews.

According to the Minister, the Committee on which he serves as chairman, consists of the Trade and Industry, Local Government, Interior, Finance and Defence ministries.

Speaking to the media at a conference on Wednesday, he said the Committee is to ensure that the E.I placing a temporary ban on the export of grains, is effectively implemented.

“We are going to be very very strict and not just sit at the borders to police the borders, but to go to specific markets where they come to buy these things, to ensure that they are prevented from buying,” Mr. Akoto said.

This comes after the JoyNews investigations revealed how tonnes of soya beans and other grains are exported to Togo, Nigeria and Benin illegally through Chereponi in the North East Region.

It comes after government placed a temporary ban on the export of grains last year as a measure to protect the collapsing poultry industry.

Export of all grains must be accompanied by an approved export permit letter duly signed by the Trade and Industry Minister.

However, the enforcement of this directive has been a challenge, giving room to the smuggling of these grains out of the country. In effect, the country loses over GH¢166 million.

In a hotline documentary ‘Broken Chain’, JoyNews uncovered that farmers in Chereponi export their grains to neighbouring countries despite the ban.

Chairman of the Cargo Truck Drivers, Imoro Mustapha, claimed they pay off customs and immigration officials at the border to allow for easy passage.

Meanwhile, the Agric Minister disclosed that aside from the Committee, security personnel would be dispatched to the borders to put a stop to the smuggling.

“We are taking these measures in anticipation that the coming harvest, we will have enough not to only to feed our people, but also to support the poultry industry.”