"Imported V8 Cars Are For The Judicial Service...Not the Executive" - Julius Debrah

"They are not for the Executive," Mr Debrah is reported to have said.

Communications Minister forwarded the Chief of Staff's rejoinder to Peacefmonline a short while ago.

The Chief of Staff's clarification is in sharp response to a misleading story which sought to suggest that President Mahama's Government is clearing vehicles at the port for purposes unknown.

According to the newsitem as published by DAILY GUIDE Friday, "41 brand new V8 engine Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles have arrived at the Tema Habour scheduled to be cleared by the outgoing Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with just a day for a change in government".

The report indicated that "the vehicles arrived at the Tema Habour four days ago, raising concerns about who may have imported them into the country at this time and for what purpose they were brought in."

"Checks by DAILY GUIDE indicate that they were brought into the country by the outgoing NDC administration and a letter from the presidency, the Flagstaff House, had been issued for them to be cleared.

According to sources, Customs officers were confused as to whether the vehicles should be released or not since they are exempted from duty.

The officer-in-charge at the Port with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Assistant Commissioner, Confidence Nyadzi, told DAILY GUIDE that he was acting on instructions from the outgoing government until there is a counter directive."

But the Chief of Staff has clarified that what Government did for the Judicial Service is basically to facilitate clearance from the port by ensuring exemption of various fees and charges.