By Amoako Kwame
The Ministry of Finance has instructed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to investigate a tax- evasion scandal in which custom officers misappropriated a tax assessment of GHS 85,306,578.33. to GHS 2,619,748.81.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), through its customs division, on February 18 2026, intercepted eighteen articulated trucks declared as goods in transit to Niger. Intelligence and field surveillance established that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required for such consignments. The trucks carried cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.
In a statement released by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance on 21 February 2026, revealed that after the initial interception of goods were assessed and a post interception examination process done by the Ministry uncovered irregularities
“Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GHS 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 have revised the suspended revenue exposure to GHS 85,306,578.33.” a segment of the statement read
The Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson has hereby instructed the GRA to conduct comprehensive investigations into the matter and implement the following 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.
Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com