Customs officers under the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have been short-changing the country by GH¢82,682,952 in revenue, aiding an importer of cooking oil to evade taxes through a diversion scheme involving articulated trucks in transit across the Akanu border post in the Volta Region.
The amount will increase as six other trucks carrying cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti have also gone missing, and the government has launched a manhunt for them. Preliminary findings point to systemic control weaknesses and human complicity. The impounded goods will be auctioned in accordance with applicable laws.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance revealed that “Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered material discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights.”
“These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability, and the suspended revenue exposure has been revised to GH¢85,306,578.33,” the statement said.
Strangely, no officer has yet been punished for attempting to deny the country such colossal revenue. So far, neither the importer’s name nor the tomato brand has been mentioned.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on Friday, 20 February 2026, rushed to the Akanu and Aflao border posts following the interception of the articulated trucks involved in a transit diversion scheme.
On 18 February 2026, the GRA, through its Customs Division, intercepted eighteen articulated trucks declared as goods in transit to Niger. Intelligence and field surveillance confirmed that the trucks were moving without the required Customs human escorts for such consignments.
The trucks were cleared from the Akanu Border Post for transit through the Eastern Corridor, exiting at Kulungugu en route to Niger under Bill of Entry (BOE) Number 80226125039. The declared cargo consisted of 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilograms.
However, a specialised team from the Customs Division of the GRA intercepted 12 articulated trucks during a major enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, which officials describe as a serious breach of Ghana’s transit regime with substantial revenue implications.
Although they were declared as goods in transit from Akanu, destined for Niger through Kulungugu, the trucks were intercepted while moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, a major breach of transit procedures.
Curiously, they had driven past the Dabala Customs Checkpoint without customs officers noticing them. The Finance Ministry has ordered an investigation into the matter.
The operation, carried out between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was led by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from both the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
The 12 trucks were part of a consignment of 18 articulated trucks that were electronically gated out of the Customs system as transit goods for Niger via Kulungugu. They were intercepted in transit without the required Customs escort, in breach of transit procedures. A Customs officer should have been appointed from Akanu, but this did not happen.
The trucks were loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti. Authorities say the actual tax amount exceeds GH¢85 million.
One truck experienced a mechanical fault during the operation, and its contents are being transferred to another vehicle to safeguard the goods.
Preliminary checks confirm that all 18 trucks were electronically gated out of the system, but only 12 have been physically secured.
Investigations are ongoing to identify and track the six outstanding trucks.
Twelve of the eighteen trucks have been impounded. Eleven are presently secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection, investigation and further legal procedures under strict Customs supervision, with logistical support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHPA).
One truck overturned while trying to evade interception, spilling its cargo. The remaining six trucks are currently being pursued.
The Minister for Finance has directed the GRA to conduct comprehensive investigations into the matter. Disciplinary action will be initiated against any Customs officers found culpable.
Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.
The impounded goods will be sold at auction in accordance with relevant laws.
In response to this incident and the abuse of transit operations, the Finance Minister has directed the GRA to implement the following immediate measures: “All land transit of cooking oil is hereby prohibited. Such consignments must be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.”
“All transactions originating from land collection points will be subjected to enhanced monitoring, tracking and strict compliance enforcement to safeguard state revenue.”
“Prompt implementation of disciplinary measures and legal prosecution of Customs officers found culpable in similar circumstances.”
The statement said the Mahama government remains resolute in safeguarding local industry and jobs while ensuring that Ghana’s customs regime is not exploited to undermine domestic revenue mobilisation and national development.
Earlier, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, who first saw the impounded trucks, congratulated the team on the bust and explained that “investigations are ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks.”
He disclosed that he has directed the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations within one week.
“I’ve asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations within one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved,” he said.
Mr Ampem stressed the seriousness of the matter, noting that the potential revenue loss is substantial.
“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is significant,” he added.
On his part, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, cautioned businesses and traders to comply fully with Customs laws.
He warned that authorities would not hesitate to apply the full rigours of the law against offenders.
“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full force of the law will be applied,” he said, adding that the GRA would crack the whip on any business or individual found culpable of actions that deny the state much-needed revenue.
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Source:
www.ghanaweb.com