[ 2011-04-16 ]

Committee to check importation of counterfeit textiles inaugurated
A nine-member vetting committee to serve as
information clearing house for the importation of
African textile prints, and control the influx of
counterfeit textiles, was inaugurated in Accra on
Thursday.

It would in addition, scrutinise all textile
prints imported into the country to establish that
they were not textiles of original products made
in Ghana in terms of quality, originality of
designs, logo and stamps of the Ghana Standards
Board.

Inaugurating the committee, Ms Hanna Tetteh,
Minister of Trade and Industry, said it should
ensure that imported designs were not those
already on the Ghanaian markets and owned by
Ghanaian originators.

She expressed concern about threats being imposed
on the Ghanaian textile industry and livelihoods
by the influx of these counterfeits textiles
imported illegally onto the Ghanaian markets
without paying the necessary custom duties and
other revenues and selling them at cheaper
prices.

"Such illegal activities put the local
manufacturing company into jeopardy and even on a
verge of collapse".

Ms Tetteh noted that more than 70 per cent of
fabrics sold on the Ghanaian market were imported
illegally and importers invade avoiding taxes and
duties and called for intense remedial measures
before it slides into irreversible situation.

She impressed upon members of the committee to act
professionally in the interest of Ghana by seeking
to address the interest of all sides being the
government, manufacturers and consumers of the
products.

Ms Tetteh noted that from January to March 2011,
about 2,000 counterfeit textiles had been ceased
from Accra, Kumasi, Mankessim and Akosombo with
some being destroyed.

She said the practice, threatened the survival of
the three remaining textile factories in the
country and called for the need to help protect
the intellectual property of and Ghanaian
ingenuity.

These are Akosombo Textiles, Ghana Textiles and
Printex.

Mr Godwin Attoh of Custom Division of Ghana
Revenue Authority, on behalf of the committee said
efforts were being made to control all the
unapproved routes being used by some smugglers.

Members of the committee are, Mr Appiah Donina,
MOTI, Kofi Nargatey, MOTI, Abraham Koomson,
Textile, Garment and Leather Employers Union,
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel
Naa Musa and Mr Prince Hammond of Printex.

The rest are, Mr David Boafo of Akosombo Textiles
Limited, Mr Godwin Attoh, Customs Division, Ghana
Revenue Authority, Mr Bismark Adu-Asare of
Texstyles and Mr Emmanuel Acolaste of Importers
Association.

Source - GNA

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