Despite being banned, the importation of second hand mattresses into Ghana is alarmingly high. The situation if not checked could affect the unemployment rate and inflict health challenges on people.
This came to light when Ashfoam Ghana Limited presented its prize to this year’s Best Journalist award winner, Benard Avle of Citifm. The company presented one of its products a sofa, to the best journalist with the other award winners also receiving various items.
George Massih is the General Manager of Ashfoam Ghana Limited.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association Affail Monney commended Ashfoam for its support to the Association over the years.
In June this year, over one thousand used mattresses seized at the Tema port were destroyed by the Tema Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority at the Kpone Landfill site.
The import of used mattresses into the country flouts the 1994 Legislative Instrument LI 1580, which forbids the import and sale of certain second hand goods in the country, notably mattresses, handkerchiefs, men, women and children underpants, popularly known as “obroni wawu” in the local parlance.
The Chief Revenue Officer in-charge of State Warehouse said the importers sometimes cover the goods with polythenes under the guise that they are new mattresses.
