Farmers worried about fertilizer smuggling in Sissala West

Gwollu (U/W), Aug. 9, GNA – There are reports of some security personnel conniving with smugglers to allegedly smuggle fertilizer across the border in the Sissala West District of the Upper West region into Burkina Faso.

Farmers in the area fear this illegal practice if not checked would hinder food production during this farming season.

They are therefore calling on the authorities to immediately put in measures to bring the practice under control.

Mr. Moses Dramani Luri, the Sissala West District Chief Executive (DCE) when contacted confirmed that the practice was going on in the district.

He said he had been receiving calls from people sometimes late in the night complaining that fertilizers was being smuggled out of the district.

He said when the fertilizer arrived in the district; a DISEC meeting was convened and task forces were formed for Gwollu, Fielmua, Jawia and Kuplima.

These task forces headed by heads of the various Security Agencies in the district were tasked with the responsibility of checking smuggling of fertilizer across the border for sale.

Mr. Luri expressed worry that with these measures in place the practice was still going on in the district.

He said his next move would be to discuss the issue with the Regional Police Commander for them to put in place Regional patrol teams to patrol the area.

Meanwhile all efforts by the GNA to get in touch with the Area Commander of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the District Police Commander proved futile.

GNA