SSNIT takes over properties of defaulting companies
CEPS asks clearing agents to help avoid delays
Nsawam (Eastern Region) 26 June 2001
The Eastern Regional office of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has seized the property of two companies at Nsawam for failing to settle the Social Security contributions of their workers to the tune of over 26 million cedis as at December 2000.
The Nsawam Cannery Products Company (formerly Nsawam GIHOC Cannery) had its property attached for failing to settle the outstanding contributions of about 22 million cedis in respect its workers while the Christian Relief Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), was being held for 4.2 million cedis default.
Sources close to the Prosecution Unit of the Regional Office of SSNIT said the action was executed last Friday based on the judgement of the Nsawam Community Tribunal presided by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa.
It said the SSNIT would later seek an order to dispose of the property attached to retrieve the amount owed if the companies failed to come forward to negotiate payment terms.
In another development, SSNIT had issued a writ against the Alpine Farms also at Nsawam, claiming outstanding social security contributions of its workers amounting to 21 million cedis for the period between October 1999 and April, this year.
The source said the actions were a continuation of recent efforts to retrieve millions of cedis owed the SSNIT by employers and tenants in the region in respect of social security contributions and rent respectively.
GRi../
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Tema (Greater Accra) 26 June 2001
Officers of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) have suggested the introduction of Assistant Commissioner's Breakfast meetings regularly with Directors of Clearing Agencies to reappraise the system of clearing goods at the Tema Port.
At such meetings, the Executives of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwards (GIFF) could discuss complaints they receive from their members, while CEPS on the other hand comes out with their problems.
The suggestion came up on Monday during interaction between CEPS Officers and Directors /Clerks of Clearing Agencies at Tema, when Mr Fredua Agyeman Boakye, outgoing Assistant Commissioner of CEPS at Tema introduced the new Commissioner, Cyril C. D. Mensah to them.
Mr Boakye said clearing agents make mistakes while filing entry forms and entreated them to comply with regulations concerning their job by ensuring that particulars on the forms were in order to avoid unnecessary delay.
He explained that where there was the need to change the name of a consignee it must be supported with an appropriate document, else it would look suspicious and thus lead to further investigations, which causes delay.
GRi../
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