Labianca Company Limited has been defended by the Importers and Exporters Association after it was accused of engaging in fraudulent practices.
It demanded in a statement that the criticism of Labianca be taken into account given its economic impact.
“Even while we do not support any unethical business practices by any of our members, we believe that the public’s vilification of the company should be measured as that can adversely effect the fortunes of a company that has made significant financial contributions to the nation,” it stated.
“Labianca Company Limited, has for the past years been one of the major importers of frozen products and its direct and indirect contribution to that job creation and revenue generation can not be overlooked in our quest as a country to criticize them over the OSP findings.”
The Importers and Exporters Association expects the company to learn from this episode.
“We implore Ghanaians to temper justice with mercy, since the company has learned from its mistakes and will strive hard to rewrite its wrongs moving forward so as to safeguard their international reputation which is being threatened,” the statement added.
The Council of State member, Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-Hinneh, who owns Labianca Company, was accused of allegedly using her position to get a favourable decision from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, leading to a reduction in her company’s tax liabilities.
The Special Prosecutor has since recovered GH¢ 1 million from Labianca.
The money was recovered as a shortfall of revenue arising from the issuance of the unlawful customs advance, meant to be duties paid to the state following the importation of the frozen foods.
