Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson has directed a comprehensive investigation following the interception of eighteen articulated trucks suspected to be involved in a transit diversion scheme at the Akanu and Aflao border posts.
According to the Minister, the Ghana Revenue Authority, through its Customs Division, intercepted the trucks on Wednesday night.
Get more exclusive breaking news updates on our WhatsApp channel .
The vehicles had been declared as goods in transit to Niger but were found to be moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required under Ghana’s transit protocols.
The trucks were initially released from the Akanu Border Post for transit through the Eastern Corridor, with exit designated at Kulungugu en route to Niger under Bill of Entry Number 80226125039. The declared cargo consisted of 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilograms.
Out of the eighteen trucks, twelve have so far been impounded. Eleven are currently secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection and further legal processing, while one truck overturned during an attempt to evade interception, spilling its cargo.
The remaining six trucks are being actively pursued by authorities.
Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GHS 2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered significant discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights, which substantially understated the tax liability.
The revised suspended revenue exposure has now risen sharply to GHS 85,306,578.33.
Preliminary findings suggest systemic control weaknesses and possible human complicity. The Minister has instructed the GRA to undertake immediate investigations, warning that any Customs officer found culpable will face disciplinary action in accordance with the law. Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence warrants prosecution.
The impounded goods are to be auctioned strictly in line with applicable laws.
In response to the abuse of the transit regime, the Minister announced immediate policy measures, including a ban on all land transit of cooking oil, which must now be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.
Additionally, all transactions originating from land collection points will be subjected to enhanced monitoring and strict compliance enforcement.
Government, he stressed, remains firm in protecting domestic revenue mobilisation, local industry, and national development, emphasizing that every cedi counts in funding Ghana’s priorities.
