The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized 12 articulated trucks in a major enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, in what officials describe as a serious breach of the country’s transit regime with significant revenue implications.
The operation, conducted overnight between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from both Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
The 12 trucks were part of a larger consignment of 18 articulated vehicles electronically gated out of the Customs system as transit goods. Declared as goods in transit from Akanu to Niger via Kulungugu, the trucks were intercepted for moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, a clear breach of transit procedures.
Authorities say the trucks were loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti. Preliminary estimates put the potential tax revenue involved at over GH¢85 million.
Eleven of the intercepted trucks have been moved to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Transit Terminal and are under strict Customs supervision. One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and its contents are being transferred to another vehicle to secure the goods.
More Read
Preliminary checks confirmed 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 remaining six trucks.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, congratulated the Customs team for the bust, stressing the seriousness of the matter given the substantial potential revenue loss. He disclosed that he has directed the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations within one week and that authorities are tracking the two Customs officers involved in the breach.
“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious,” Mr. Ampem said.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, warned businesses and traders to comply fully with Customs laws. He said the authority would apply the full rigours of the law against offenders, including confiscation of goods, and emphasized that any individual or business found culpable of actions that deny the state revenue would face strict enforcement.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts by Ghana Customs to strengthen oversight of transit goods and ensure compliance with legal procedures, particularly for high-value consignments in the food and import sectors.
Authorities have urged the public and trading community to cooperate fully with regulatory agencies to prevent revenue loss and maintain integrity in the nation’s transit and import systems.
Ghana relies heavily on Customs revenue to fund government operations, making compliance with transit and import regulations critical for national finances. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is tasked with collecting duties, enforcing customs laws, and preventing smuggling or revenue leakages that undermine the state’s budget.
Transit goods — items transported through the country to a third destination — are subject to strict oversight under Ghana’s Customs and Excise laws. These regulations require that transit consignments move under Customs escort and with proper electronic documentation to ensure that taxes are accounted for and goods are not diverted illegally. Failure to comply with these procedures can result in substantial revenue losses and potential legal action against those involved.
In recent years, the GRA has intensified enforcement operations along major transit routes, including the Dawhenya–Tema corridor, a key artery for goods moving to neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. These operations often involve collaboration with the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to ensure both logistical and security support.
High-demand goods such as edible oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti are frequently targeted in illegal transit schemes because of their large volumes and high duty potential. Smuggling or procedural breaches in these commodities can significantly affect government revenue, as illustrated by the GH¢85 million at stake in the recent interception.
The GRA has also increasingly relied on technology, such as electronic gating and tracking systems, to monitor the movement of goods and reduce opportunities for fraud. Despite these measures, breaches still occur, often involving collusion or negligence by transporters or, in some cases, customs officers, highlighting the ongoing challenge of enforcing compliance across long and busy transit routes.
Past enforcement actions have shown that swift interception, public accountability, and strict legal consequences serve as strong deterrents. By cracking down on transit violations and holding offenders to account, the GRA aims to protect the integrity of the nation’s revenue system and ensure that high-value imports contribute appropriately to Ghana’s economic development.
The recent operation demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening Customs oversight, preserving national revenue, and maintaining the rule of law in trade and transit processes. It also sends a clear signal to businesses and traders that non-compliance will not be tolerated and that enforcement agencies are prepared to act decisively to safeguard the country’s fiscal interests.
