On Wednesday, July 24, a clash erupted between personnel of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Immigration Service at the Kulungugu border in the Pusiga District. The confrontation was reportedly over disagreements concerning the payment of certain border fees.
Incident Overview:
Sources at the border indicate that the altercation began when an importer from Burkina Faso refused to pay a booking fee of five (5) cedis demanded by Immigration Service personnel. The importer had already completed all necessary paperwork with the Customs Division and believed that the additional payment was unnecessary.
Dispute Escalation:
Frustrated by the demand, the importer reported the incident to the Customs Division. Customs personnel then approached the Immigration Service to facilitate free passage for the importer, arguing that the payment had already been settled.
However, this intervention was met with resistance from the Immigration Service personnel, leading to a heated confrontation. The situation escalated into a scuffle between the two state security agencies, lasting over an hour.
Resolution:
Despite the tension, no injuries were reported from the altercation. The incident highlights ongoing issues regarding border fee collection and inter-agency cooperation. It clash underscores the need for clear communication and collaboration between the Customs Division and the Ghana Immigration Service to prevent similar disputes in the future and ensure smooth operations at the border.
By Peter Quao Adattor
