President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, has called for fair treatment of chicken imports company, La Bianca Company, amid petitions to the Special Prosecutor to launch an investigation into the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and La Bianca Company and its subsidiaries for alleged evasion of import duties since 2017.

In a press statement, Dr. Joseph Obeng, insists that the company, which imports volumes of frozen chicken to supplement local production and also employ over 500 Ghanaians, has every right to take advantage of a well-known mark-down facility created to support bulk cargo importers.

“This facility (10% markdown on legally prescribed benchmark values) is being enjoyed by applicable large-scale importers in the country. The condition for benefiting from the facility is to comply with the rules and regulations as provided in the Customs Act, regarding this facility.”

“An importing company that has been able to employ this huge number of Ghanaians deserve commendation, support and encouragement as it is always done to manufacturing firms,” he stated.

Frank Asare, the petitioner behind the appeal to the Special Prosecutor, claims that the owner of La Bianca Company, one Eunice Hinneh, who also serves on the Governing Board of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Council of State, has used her position to influence an arbitrary markdown on import duties.

“Complainant says that grant of the 10% markdown on legally prescribed benchmark values to the La Bianca was done arbitrarily with this known process,” the petition mentioned.

Meanwhile, GUTA has described the petition as “apparent discrimination against importers” warning of some job losses if government takes up the petition.

It is also urging all traders, especially, importers to take any opportunity that is provided in the Customs Act, and strictly comply with the rules and regulations.