Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry (MOTI) on Wednesday inaugurated a 16-member Task force to be responsible for the seizure and disposal of imported and pirated Ghanaian textiles on the market. She administered to them the oaths of office and secrecy. Ms Tetteh said some individuals and companies were illegally using Ghana Standards Board logo to print their designs, which amounts to stealing someone’s intellectual property. She said these practices affected smooth operations in the fabric industry, contributing to low productivity and unemployment in the country. Ms Tetteh said to ensure these practices were eliminated, those found culpable would be prosecuted and the ceased fabrics burnt in public to serve as deterrent to others. She urged members of the committee not to connive with illegal importers to undermine their work but rather appreciate the duty entrusted on them to meet their objectives. Mr Appiah Donyina, Acting Director of Import and Export, MOTI, Chairman of the Task Force said their responsibility was a national exercise and promised to endeavour to achieve the mandate. Other members are Ms. Veronica Sadah, Deputy Commissioner (Operations), Customs and Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Nana Akrasi Sarpong, Acting Director of Communications, MOTI, Mr Godwin Attoh, Legal Chief Collector, CEPS, Ms Sylvia Ankamah, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Mr Lawrence Osei-Boateng, Assistant Commercial Officer, MOTI. The rest are; Mr Prince Isaac Arthur, Head of Ghana Standards Board, Tema Port Office, Mr Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr Joseph Kotey Djani, Ghana Textiles Manufacturing Company, and Mr Francis Omani, representative of Printex. The others are; Mr Abraham Koomson, General Secretary, Textiles Garment and Leather Workers Union (TGLEU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Naa Musah, Criminal Investigation Department (Operations), Police Headquarters, Mr Emmanuel Acolatse, representative of importers of Textiles and Distribution Association, Mr Kwabena Yentumi, Marketing Director, Tex Styles Ghana Limited, Police Chief Inspector Stephen O. Quaye of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Mr John Amoah, Akosombo Textiles Limited. Source: GNA