{
  "id": 10991079,
  "title": "Makola and Abossey Okai named in crime index as fake goods trade grows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/makola-and-abossey-okai-named-in-crime-index-as-fake-goods-trade-grows-10991079",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T16:43:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/makola-and-abossey-okai-named-in-crime-index-as-fake-goods-trade-grows/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Makola and Abossey Okai have been listed in the 2025 Organised Crime Index for their involvement in the sale of counterfeit goods, as the trade in fake products continues to grow in Ghana. The index, compiled by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime and the ENACT project, rates Ghana's trade in counterfeit items at 5.5 out of 10, an increase of 0.5 from the previous year. The report highlights that fake goods can be found in various markets, such as textiles in Makola and car spare parts in Abossey Okai. Many electrical products sold in Accra, for instance, are suspected to be counterfeit and fail to meet safety standards. Additionally, the report warns about the illegal trade of counterfeit medicines, a long-standing issue.\n\nThe majority of these counterfeit items are believed to be manufactured in Chinese factories and smuggled into West African countries, including Ghana, primarily through the Port of Tema. Moreover, the illicit trade of tobacco and alcohol has worsened, with illicit goods receiving a score of 5.0, also up by 0.5. The porous borders of Ghana, particularly with Togo and Burkina Faso, contribute to the ease of widespread smuggling. High excise taxes on these goods further encourage smuggling and illegal production, aided by organized groups and corruption within customs and law enforcement.\n\nRanked 68th out of 193 countries globally, Ghana stands at 21st among African nations and 6th among West African countries, with an overall criminality score of 5.77.",
  "summary": "Makola and Abossey Okai have been named in the 2025 Organised Crime Index as places where fake goods are sold, with the report saying the trade is becoming a bigger problem in Ghana.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Makola and Abossey Okai named in crime index as fake goods trade grows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/makola-and-abossey-okai-named-in-crime-index-as-fake-goods-trade-grows",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:23:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}