GH¢85.3m Transit Diversion Scandal Uncovered; Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson Orders Crackdown

By Samuel Asamoah

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson has ordered a sweeping crackdown on customs operations after authorities uncovered a suspected transit diversion scheme involving 18 articulated trucks, with revised revenue exposure now standing at GH¢85.3 million.

The trucks, declared as goods in transit to Niger, were intercepted by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) through its Customs Division.

Dr Forson, who visited the Akanu and Aflao border posts following the interception, disclosed that the trucks had been cleared from the Akanu Border Post under Bill of Entry Number 80226125039 and designated to exit Ghana at Kulungugu via the Eastern Corridor en route to Niger.

The declared cargo consisted of 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilograms.

However, intelligence and field surveillance established that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required under Ghana’s transit protocols — a key safeguard intended to prevent diversion of transit goods onto the local market.

Twelve Trucks Impounded

Out of the 18 trucks intercepted, 12 have been impounded. Eleven are currently secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection, investigations and further legal processing.

One of the trucks overturned while allegedly attempting to evade interception, spilling its cargo. The remaining six trucks are being actively pursued by enforcement authorities.

Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. But subsequent post-interception examinations uncovered what the Finance Minister described as “material discrepancies” in declared unit values, tariff classifications and weights.

According to Dr Forson, these irregularities significantly understated the tax liability. Following a reassessment, the suspended revenue exposure has been revised sharply upward to GH¢85,306,578.33.

Human Complicity Suspected

Preliminary findings, the Minister said, point to systemic control weaknesses and possible human complicity within the Customs system.

He has directed the GRA to commence comprehensive investigations without delay, warning that any Customs officer found culpable will face prompt disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.

“The full rigours of the law will be applied,” Dr Forson stated, adding that the impounded goods will be auctioned strictly in accordance with applicable laws.

New Transit Restrictions Announced

In response to what he described as abuse of Ghana’s transit regime, the Finance Minister announced immediate measures to tighten controls.

All land transit of cooking oil has been prohibited with immediate effect. Such consignments must now be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.

In addition, all transactions originating from land collection points will be subjected to enhanced monitoring, tracking and strict compliance enforcement.

Dr Forson also directed the prompt commencement of disciplinary and legal proceedings against Customs officers found culpable in similar circumstances.

Government, he stressed, remains committed to protecting local industry and safeguarding domestic revenue mobilisation.

“We will not allow Ghana’s customs regime to be exploited to undermine national development. Every cedi matters in our collective effort to fund national priorities,” he stated.