The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has recorded a significant success in its intensified anti-smuggling campaign, announcing that two coordinated enforcement operations with support from national security and the military have prevented an estimated GHS 3.6 million in revenue losses.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, disclosed the details during a briefing on recent interventions aimed at protecting Ghana’s borders and safeguarding national revenue.
According to him, the first operation took place on November 22, 2025, when a joint Customs Division team intercepted four trucks loaded with diverted goods in a warehouse within the Tema enclave. The trucks were carrying over 9,000 jerry cans of cooking oil that had been falsely declared as transit goods destined for Burkina Faso.
“These items were falsely declared as transit goods using Burkina Faso as their destination, but in reality, they were diverted into a warehouse in the Tema enclave. It will interest you to know that transit goods do not attract payment of duties and that’s why we believe these goods were falsely described as such.
“Secondly, we also noted that devices that we fixed on these tracks to monitor their movement through Ghana to the destinations were tampered with. Again, suggesting that there was a real intention to actually avoid duty and divert these goods.”
Mr. Sarpong explained that the Tema operation alone saved the state GHS 1.9 million. He added that another enforcement exercise around the same period at the Aflao Collection enclave led to the interception of multiple trucks suspected of transporting uncustomed goods. Items seized included rice, sugar, tomato paste, beverages, textiles, and clothes. The estimated revenue loss associated with these consignments was pegged at GHS 1.7 million.
“Through the vigilant actions of the Customs Division in collaboration with national security and the military, we were able to prevent revenue loss of GHS 3.6 million and therefore protect the national affairs,” he said.
Disposal of Seized Goods
Mr. Sarpong confirmed that all confiscated items including cooking oil, rice, sugar, and textiles are now under the control of the GRA and will be disposed of through sale, with proceeds paid directly into state coffers. He further noted that truck owners whose vehicles facilitated the smuggling attempts will be surcharged.
“We will surcharge the truck owners an appropriate amount for using their assets or vehicles to facilitate movements that could lead to loss of revenue,” he added.
The Commissioner-General stressed that the GRA will continue to make arrests, seal unauthorized routes, and monitor the movement of goods across Ghana’s borders. “We will not accept any attempt to circumvent our systems and processes,” he stated.
Call for Compliance
Mr. Sarpong appealed to the business community and the public to comply voluntarily with tax obligations and support enforcement efforts by reporting suspicious activities.
“We therefore call on businesses that are genuinely compliant with their tax obligations to continue to do so. However, we will apply all necessary enforcement measures to curtail the activities of individuals and businesses who do not comply with the law,” he said.
The GRA also highlighted its Informant Award Scheme, which offers monetary rewards to individuals or organizations who provide credible information leading to tax recovery. Informants may contact the authority via its toll-free number, 0800 900 110, with assurances of strict confidentiality.
“If you give us intelligent or alert information, we will protect your identity, we will work on it, and when the taxes are recovered, we will duly return your share to you through the policy,” Mr. Sarpong explained.
He concluded by reaffirming the GRA’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s revenue base and urged citizens to honor their tax responsibilities. “Let us remember to pay our taxes and to build Ghana together,” he said.
