This call follows a tour to the Volta Region by members of the Governing Board to familiarize themselves with activities at the Aflao and Akanu borders as well as some of the unapproved routes of entry.

At the Aflao border, the members were welcomed and given a briefing by Mr Nathan Tetteh Quaye Jnr, the Aflao sector Commander of Customs Division of GRA.The Commander highlighted on the illegal activities going on and expressed concern of the inadequate human resource capacity available.

He singled out smuggling as a major activity, which must be guarded against.

Mr Tetteh Quaye praised the level of inter-agency collaboration among NACOB, FDA, GSA, Ghana Immigration Service and CEPS, which has led to the seizure of large quantities of products such as food stuffs, medicines, cosmetics, clothes among others some of which were suspected to be substandard or fake.

He called on the FDA to set up a laboratory at the border to help test products entering so as to ensure protection of public health and safety.The Commander commended the police and navy amongst others who have assisted in ensuring the minimization of smuggling through the sea and river routes.

Continuing the tour, the Governing Board was taken to some of the unapproved routes - Beat One, Beat 9 and Pillar 13.After visiting the three unapproved routes and informed of about 17 more of such routes, the Board said there is an urged need for government to intervene to ensure either a complete closure of such routes or strict monitoring.

The existence of such unmanned illegal routes makes it easy for unregistered products to enter the country, putting the lives of consumers at risk.This calls for increased market surveillance activities to ensure the protection of consumers.