The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 12 articulated trucks loaded with cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti in what officials describe as a major breach of Ghana’s transit regime, with over GH¢85 million in taxes at stake.
The intelligence-led operation was carried out between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. along the Dawhenya–Tema Road. It was led by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce, and enforcement officers from the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
The 12 trucks are part of a consignment of 18 articulated trucks that were electronically gated out of the Customs system as transit goods. The shipment had been declared as goods in transit from Akanu, destined for Niger through Kulungugu.
However, the trucks were intercepted without the mandatory Customs human escort — a key requirement under Ghana’s transit procedures.
Authorities say the trucks were carrying 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti, with the tax component involved estimated at more than GH¢85 million.
Eleven of the intercepted trucks have since been moved to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Transit Terminal and placed under strict Customs supervision, with logistical support from GPHA. One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and arrangements are underway to transfer its cargo to another vehicle to secure the goods.
Preliminary checks indicate that while all 18 trucks were electronically cleared from the system, only 12 have been physically secured. Investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining six trucks.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, commended the enforcement team for the operation and stressed the urgency of the investigations.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks,” he said.
He further disclosed that he has directed the Commissioner-General of the GRA to conclude investigations within one week.
“I’ve asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations in one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved,” Mr. Ampem stated.
He underscored the gravity of the situation, noting the potential revenue implications.
“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious,” he added.
The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, also issued a strong warning to businesses and traders to comply strictly with Customs regulations.
“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he said, stressing that the Authority would not hesitate to sanction any business or individual found culpable in actions that deprive the state of critical revenue.
