President John Dramani Mahama expressed fury over illegal activities at the borders
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama is deeply upset over the recent interception of articulated trucks suspected to be involved in a transit diversion and revenue evasion scheme at Ghana’s borders.
According to him, the president demanded immediate feedback after officials returned from inspections at the Akanu Border Post and the Aflao Border.
What deputy finance minister said about Customs officers, missing goods
“When we came back from Akanu, the president was waiting to hear from us. So, we drove straight to the president to give him feedback on our trip to the border post and the president is so upset,” he said on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026.
He stressed that authorities are determined to deal decisively with anyone found culpable in the alleged scheme.
“There is no way anybody involved in this is going to be treated with kid gloves. We want to send a very strong signal that our customs offices have responsibility to ensure revenue; to protect our borders and do all these so they should not be complicit in these,” he noted.
Nyarko Ampem added that while some customs officers demonstrated professionalism, sanctions will be applied where wrongdoing is established.
“Of course, there are good ones who assisted us (sic). We want to reward good behaviors by customs offices and punish bad behaviors. That is the only way,” he indicated.
The minister further revealed that the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has already directed disciplinary actions against officers implicated in the matter, with the Ghana Revenue Authority initiating internal processes.
“The finance minister gave directives on Friday when we went to Akanu and Aflao and we were actually shocked at the responses that we were getting from the people. So, he directed the Commissioner-General to immediately start disciplinary action against these affected officers,” he explained.
According to him, queries have been issued to the officers involved, who have been given a deadline to respond.
“Further information I got from Commissioner-General is that they have issued queries to them on Friday and they are to respond by close of day today.
“After that, then necessary action, including interdiction, will happen. In fact, this will happen,” he concluded.
Background
GRA Customs officials implicated in GH¢82 million tax evasion scheme – Report
The development follows a major enforcement operation by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) which intercepted trucks declared as transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu.
The operation uncovered alleged breaches, including the movement of goods without the mandatory customs human escort, raising concerns about possible internal complicity.
MAG/AE
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com