HMRC select KKD as face of new campaign

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has appointed Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, a.k.a. KKD, to be the face of a new campaign to prevent illegal food products entering the UK- in partnership with the UK Border Agency and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

The personal food imports campaign aims to inform Ghanaian citizens travelling to or visiting the UK that it is illegal to bring any meat and milk products from Ghana to the UK and other European Union countries. There are also restrictions on the amount of some other food products, which travellers from Ghana can bring into the UK in personal baggage.

KKD will appear in a number of print and broadcast advertisements which include the strap-line- 'if you don't want wahala , be careful what food you take aboard!' –highlighting the consequences of carrying illegal food items. This includes penalties such as prosecution and fines, or even a prison sentence.

KKD said: I am delighted to be an ambassador for the HMRC personal food imports campaign to raise awareness in the Ghanaian community on the rules and regulations. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and my message can help our good people refrain from breaking the law.

The Head of Marketing Campaigns of HMRC -Ayesha Owusu-Barnaby said the personal import rules were put in place to reduce the risk of pests and disease entering the UK, which could have a detrimental effect on the UK environment and farming industry, as well as the wider economy. With the support of KKD we hope that the Ghanaian community will understand the importance of this campaign.

As part of the campaign, outreach teams will also be visiting travel agents and community organizations across the capital of Ghana, Accra, in the upcoming months.