The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has explained that businessman, Mr Ibrahim Mahama issued 24 cheques and not 44 as had been reported.
The cheques were to pay for duties on equipment and vehicles he imported through the Tema Port in 2015.
Through his two companies, MBG Limited and Holman Brothers, he imported the heavy duty construction equipment and vehicles into Ghana in 2015 and entered into an agreement with the GRA to spread payment of the import duty over some months.
According to the GRA, the cheques, 24 in total [12 for MBG and 12 for Hollman Brothers] were for monthly instalments from January 2016 to December 2016.
In a radio interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Robert Mensah, an Assistant Commissioner at the GRA in charge of Communications clarified.
“When the January cheque was presented we found out that the accounts were closed,” Mr Mensah said and added that from February to December they (GRA) did not present the other cheques.
The Assin Central Member of Parliament, Mr Kennedy Agyapong on separate media platforms alleged that Mr Mahama had issued 44 dud cheques to the GRA in connection with the payment of the duties and the GRA had been quiet about it.
Mr Agyapong reportedly tipped off the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), culminating in an invitation of Mr Mahama last week.
Following that a two-week ultimatum has been given to Mr Mahama to pay Gh¢12.7million which includes what the two companies owe in addition to interest and penalty.
Graphic.com.gh