Ghana’s Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson has ordered an immediate ban on the land transit of sugar, flour and textiles through the country’s borders, in a move authorities say is aimed at tightening customs controls and preventing revenue leakages.
The directive was issued on Monday after a meeting between the minister and senior officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), including Acting Commissioner of Customs Aaron Akanor.
Government officials say the measure is part of broader efforts to strengthen monitoring of goods moving through Ghana and ensure that the country does not lose tax revenue through weaknesses in transit trade.
Transit trade allows imported goods destined for neighbouring countries to pass through Ghana without paying local duties, provided they are transported under customs supervision and leave the country within a specified time.
However, authorities say the system has sometimes been abused, with some goods reportedly diverted into the local market instead of continuing to their intended destinations, depriving the state of significant customs revenue.
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Speaking after the meeting, Forson said the government had taken the decision to suspend the land transit of selected commodities that authorities believe are particularly vulnerable to diversion.
“The transit of sugar, flour and textiles through Ghana’s land borders is to be halted with immediate effect,” he said, adding that the directive is intended to protect government revenue and strengthen oversight of the country’s trade system.
Officials say the measure will apply to goods entering Ghana’s ports and intended for onward transport by road to neighbouring countries.
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The finance ministry said customs authorities have been instructed to strictly enforce the directive at all border posts and entry points across the country.
Alongside the transit ban, the minister also ordered the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB), a key unit responsible for valuation and technical support within the Customs Division.
The restructuring will consolidate the bureau’s operations into a single centre, creating what officials describe as a one-stop facility for customs valuation.
Authorities believe the move will improve efficiency in assessing the value of imports and reduce inconsistencies in the customs clearance process.
The government also plans to enhance intelligence sharing among customs officers and strengthen the monitoring of imports through improved data analysis.
According to the finance ministry, the new system will draw on insights generated by the Publican Artificial Intelligence platform, a digital tool used by customs authorities to analyse trade data and identify irregularities in import declarations.
Officials say the technology can help detect under-invoicing, misclassification of goods and other practices used to evade taxes and duties.
The Customs Division has been directed to ensure full compliance with the new policies, with all departments and operational units expected to implement the changes immediately.
The government says the reforms are part of a wider effort to improve domestic revenue mobilisation at a time when Ghana is seeking to strengthen public finances and close loopholes in its tax and customs administration.
Authorities have in recent years stepped up efforts to digitise customs operations and tighten border controls in order to boost state revenue.
While Ghana serves as a key trade gateway for several landlocked countries in West Africa, officials say stricter oversight is necessary to ensure that transit trade does not undermine local tax collection.
The finance ministry did not indicate how long the ban on land transit of the affected goods will remain in place, but officials say the measure will be reviewed as authorities assess its impact on customs operations and revenue protection.
