The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has signaled a tougher enforcement stance against officers who violate customs procedures, following investigations into an attempted diversion of transit cargo that exposed documentation and compliance breaches.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, said while the Authority remains committed to supporting businesses and facilitating legitimate trade, it will not hesitate to enforce disciplinary measures against officers who fail to comply with the law.
He said although the majority of GRA officers continue to serve diligently, those found to have violated established procedures would face the appropriate sanctions to maintain discipline and integrity within the institution.
“As GRA, as we always say, we are there to support businesses, and when your business grows and thrives, then our work of collecting taxes also progresses. We encourage all businesses, especially our trading businesses, to abide by customs regulations, and if you are ever in doubt, always consult. To my officers, we are doing a good job for the state and we always pat you on the shoulders.
“However, few of us who do not also comply with the law, when you are found foul of not following procedures, we are firm in our mind and actions to take the necessary sanctions so that we always bring discipline and order into the service that we do,” Anthony Sarpong said.
The remarks were made during a media briefing on the outcome of investigations into the attempted diversion of 18 trucks declared as transit cargo from Togo through Ghana to Niger.
The trucks were intercepted in February 2026 along the Kpone barrier towards the motorway by a joint team of Customs preventive officers and National Security following suspicions that the cargo was being diverted into the Ghanaian market.
According to findings presented by the Commissioner-General, investigations revealed that the cargo, which originated from Malaysia and Indonesia and was discharged at the Port of Lomé, was consigned to two Ivorian companies for delivery to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, not to Niger.
The investigation also uncovered falsified trade documentation, under-declaration of goods, incorrect tariff classification that understated the applicable bond value, and concerns over the identity of the declared consignee, whose taxpayer identification details could not be verified by the Nigerien Chamber of Commerce.
A review of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) further identified 44 previous transit declarations linked to the same consignee over the past two years, with several transactions exhibiting similar documentation irregularities and exit patterns.
As part of measures taken, the GRA has interdicted four customs officers who handled the consignment and commenced internal disciplinary proceedings to determine their culpability in line with the Authority’s policies and the law.
The Authority also affirmed the confiscation of the consignment, adding that, under the directive of the Ministry of Finance, the goods have been allocated to the National School Feeding Programme.
The GRA said it has strengthened compliance monitoring at the country’s borders to improve revenue mobilisation, facilitate legitimate trade and prevent illicit trading activities.
