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0 The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 12 articulated trucks in a major enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, in what officials describe as a serious breach of Ghana’s transit regime with significant revenue implications.
The operation, conducted between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was led by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from both the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
The 12 trucks are believed to be part of a consignment of 18 articulated trucks that had been electronically gated out of the Customs system as transit goods.
They were declared as goods in transit from Akanu, destined for Niger through Kulungugu. However, the trucks were intercepted while moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, a major breach of transit procedures.
The trucks were loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti. Authorities say the actual value of taxes involved is over GH¢85 million.
Eleven of the intercepted trucks have been moved to the GPHA Transit Terminal and are under strict Customs supervision, with logistical support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and its contents are being transferred to another vehicle to secure the goods.
Preliminary checks confirm that all 18 trucks were electronically gated out of the system, yet only 12 have been physically secured.
Investigations are ongoing to identify and track the six outstanding trucks.
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, congratulated the team for the bust and explained that explained that “Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks.”
He disclosed that he has directed the Commissioner-General 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,” he said.
Mr. Ampem stressed the seriousness of the matter, noting that the potential revenue loss is substantial.
“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious,” he added.
On his part, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, cautioned businesses and traders to comply fully with Customs laws.
He warned that authorities would not hesitate to apply the full rigours of the law against offenders.
“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he said, adding that the GRA would crack the whip on any business or individual found culpable of actions that deny the state much-needed revenue.
