Deputy Finance Minister Praises GRA for Seizing 12 Trucks; Over GH¢85m Taxes at Risk

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has praised the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for intercepting 12 articulated trucks suspected to be involved in a revenue diversion scheme. The operation which took place overnight along the Dawhenya–Tema Road between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. involved Customs officers, the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce and enforcement teams from Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.

Officials say the trucks were part of a group of 18 vehicles that had been cleared as transit goods. The cargo was declared as goods moving from Akanu to Niger through Kulungugu. However, the trucks were intercepted while travelling without the required Customs escort, which is against transit rules. The trucks were carrying 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti. Authorities estimate that more than GH¢85 million in taxes could have been lost if the goods had been diverted into the local market.

Eleven of the trucks have been kept at the GPHA Transit Terminal under Customs supervision, with support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. One truck broke down during the operation, and its goods are being moved to another vehicle to keep them safe. Checks show that all 18 trucks were electronically cleared, but only 12 have been found so far. Investigations are ongoing to locate the remaining six trucks.

The Deputy Minister stated that the interception shows government’s determination to stop revenue leakages, adding that he has directed the Commissioner-General to finish investigations within one week and noted that two Customs officers linked to the case are being tracked.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks. I have asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations in one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved. We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious ,” he stated.

The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, also warned businesses and traders to follow Customs rules.

He said the Authority will apply the law, including confiscating goods and taking legal action against offenders.

“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he said.

The incident forms part of ongoing efforts to reduce smuggling and improve revenue collection in the country.