In a major move to safeguard national coffers, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has issued a directive to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) banning the land transit of nine categories of high-demand goods.
The directive follows a strategic review meeting between the Minister, the Acting Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Aaron Akanor, and the senior management of the Customs Division. The new policy mandates that these selected products must now be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports, effectively ending their entry or transit via land borders.
The “Land Ban” List
The Ministry identified nine specific product categories prone to smuggling and under-declaration at land frontiers. These items are now restricted to sea entry only:
1. Cooking oil
2. Rice
3. Sugar
4. Frozen products
5. Textiles
6. Flour
7. Canned tomatoes
8. Pasta / Spaghetti
9. Pharmaceutical products
Tightening the Noose on Smuggling
According to Dr. Forson, the decision is a direct response to recurring revenue leakages associated with land transit. By funneling these goods through the highly monitored environments of the Tema and Takoradi ports, the government aims to ensure 100% compliance with import duties.
In tandem with the ban, the Minister ordered the recentralization of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB). This move creates a “one-stop shop” for valuation, eliminating the discrepancies often found when multiple border posts handle valuation independently.
AI-Driven Enforcement
A key component of this enforcement drive is the enhanced use of the Publican AI system. The Ministry intends to leverage AI-generated data and insights to:
● Detect irregularities in real-time.
● Improve intelligence sharing within the Customs Division.
● Strengthen the overall ability of Customs to flag high-risk shipments before they enter the local market.
“These measures are intended to strengthen enforcement at our borders, close revenue leakages, and safeguard government revenue,” Dr. Forson emphasized, instructing all relevant GRA units to ensure strict, immediate compliance.
Customs Pledges Full Support
The newly appointed Acting Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Aaron Akanor, welcomed the directive, noting that his team is prepared for the shift in operations.
“We will do our possible best to not let down the Minister and the nation,” Mr. Akanor stated, assuring the public that the Customs Division would prioritize the security of the nation’s borders while facilitating legitimate trade through the designated sea routes.
