A timber merchant operating at Kwaadaso, Kwame Asare, has alleged that some police officers on the Offinso road demand up to GH¢45,000 from timber-carrying vehicles when they are stopped.
The merchant, who spoke to Atinka News, said the latest incident was the fourth time he had allegedly encountered such a situation.
According to Asare, when his vehicle is stopped, he is sometimes given a number and directed to Bechem to pay a penalty.
He claimed that receipts are issued for some of the payments, while other payments are allegedly made without any documentation.
The merchant further alleged that the practice extends beyond the police, claiming that some immigration and forestry personnel also impose charges on timber operators.
He said timber merchants are also required to make additional payments at the Offinso toll booth, customs checkpoints and other barriers along their routes.
According to him, the cumulative charges can amount to thousands of Ghana cedis before timber operators reach their destinations, putting significant financial pressure on the industry.
The timber merchant described the alleged demands as excessive and appealed to the government to intervene and protect timber operators from what he described as undue financial burdens.
He also called for greater transparency and accountability in the collection of fees and penalties along major timber transportation routes.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Obofo Micheal
