Mills: Arrest anybody who 'trades' in my name

President J.E.A. Mills is angry at corrupt practices at the Tema Harbour President John Mills has charged authorities at the Tema Harbour to arrest anybody who comes to transact business at the harbor in his name. He is incensed over startling revelations of bribery and corruption uncovered by investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The investigative piece exposed how the country has been denied of due revenue by corrupt officials who in collusion with private companies at the harbour under-declare imports and thus evade tax. Nearly every stage of paper work at the harbour was riddled with bribery with officials captured on videos collecting monies from importers. In an unannounced visit to the Harbour on Friday, President Mills condemned in no uncertain terms the stinking corruption at the harbour. "There are people who come here throwing their weight around; dropping names of so-called higher ups. I have General Mordey and I am telling you if anybody comes here with the president's name the first thing you should do is to arrest that person," President Mills said. He was disappointed also that the evidence of corruption was uncovered by Anas Aremeyaw Anas when security personnel charged with the statutory responsibility of uncovering corruption and raising revenue, were either sleeping on the job or were neck deep in the corrupt activities. He said the security personnel must at all times search their conscience to find out if their actions were in the ultimate interest of the nation. He called for an institution of a law that will require officials at CEPS to declare their assets. President Mills also expressed disappointment with the Judiciary over the discharge of some 14 CEPS officials who were being prosecuted for their roles in the cocoa smuggling allegations made against them following a similar investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The President said he "will no longer tolerate these lapses" from the Judiciary. Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng who was with the president described his 'visible anger' as unbeknown and said the president was so disappointed that monies that ought to be used for the development of the country were going into private pockets. According to Kwame Boateng the CEPS officials listened intently as the president made his admonitions. President Mills later met with shipping agents at the harbour. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana