TEMA, Ghana, 12th November: The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Ghana Police Service for arresting two suspects and seizing assorted wax print fabrics suspected to be counterfeit GTP products, valued at approximately GH¢20 million.
He described the operation as a significant step towards tackling smuggling and the circulation of counterfeit goods, which he believes have contributed to the collapse of several businesses in Ghana.
The Ghana Police Service arrested two men and seized large quantities of assorted wax prints in an intelligence-led operation at a warehouse in Adabraka, Accra, on Monday, November 9, 2026.
The suspects, identified as 50-year-old Salifu Mamuda and 44-year-old Iddrisa Mohammed, were arrested during an operation conducted by the IGP’s Special Operations Team (SOT).
The operation followed intelligence gathered by the police indicating that two articulated trucks, suspected to have originated from Nigeria, were offloading goods believed to be contraband at a warehouse off the Kojo Thompson Highway in Adabraka.
The trucks, with registration numbers SMK-161-YH and T-28975-LA, reportedly conveyed large quantities of assorted wax print fabrics suspected to have been smuggled into Ghana from Nigeria.
The seized consignment is estimated to be worth approximately GH¢20 million.
According to the police, the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on the importation and distribution of suspected counterfeit products and other illegal goods in the country.
The seized fabrics have since been transported to the National Police Headquarters in Accra for further investigations, while the two suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The police have also indicated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other individuals who may be connected to the alleged importation and distribution network.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme on Thursday, November 12, 2026, Abraham Koomson expressed satisfaction with the IGP’s decision to deploy his officers to arrest the suspects.
He said the activities of smugglers and distributors of counterfeit products were among the major challenges that had previously contributed to the collapse of businesses in the country.
According to him, the commitment demonstrated by the John Dramani Mahama-led administration to fighting smuggling is encouraging, particularly against the backdrop of what he described as a situation under the previous administration where influential individuals could allegedly intervene to secure the release of suspected smugglers.
Mr Koomson expressed hope that the government would sustain the operations and ensure that individuals involved in smuggling are brought to justice, irrespective of their connections.
He warned that Ghana’s flagship 24-Hour Economy policy could struggle to achieve its intended objectives if smuggling activities are not decisively addressed.
He argued that no serious investor would be willing to compete with businesses engaged in smuggling and the distribution of counterfeit products, given the unfair advantages such operators enjoy.
While acknowledging that completely eliminating smuggling could be difficult, the GFL Secretary General urged the government to intensify efforts to minimise its impact on legitimate businesses and investors.
He stressed that protecting local industries from unfair competition is essential to creating a conducive business environment, attracting investment and supporting the success of the government’s economic transformation agenda.