By Mariam Aminu
In a dual-pronged offensive to protect the national economy and ensure road safety, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced a major tightening of controls at the nation’s entry points.
The move comes on the heels of two alarming revelations: a massive GH¢31 billion discrepancy in trade capital flight and a growing trend of illegally imported right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles.
Speaking at a recent stakeholder engagement, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, revealed a staggering statistic that has sent shockwaves through the financial sector. Over the last five years, approximately GH¢31 billion was transferred out of Ghana under the guise of payment for imports, yet no matching goods ever entered the country’s ports.
This “capital flight” suggests a sophisticated scheme where some importers use valid documentation to secure foreign exchange from the banking system, only to divert the funds without bringing in the corresponding commodities.
“We are seeing a trend where money leaves our borders for imports that simply do not exist on our manifests,” the GRA boss stated. To combat this, the Authority is integrating its systems with the Bank of Ghana and commercial banks to ensure that every dollar sent abroad for trade is backed by a physical Bill of Lading and verified cargo.
Clampdown on right-hand drive vehicles
While the GRA follows the money trail, it is also tightening the physical gates against prohibited goods specifically right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles.
Under Ghanaian law, the importation of RHD vehicles is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns on the country’s left-hand traffic roads. However, the GRA has noted an uptick in attempts to smuggle these vehicles into the country, often by wrongly declaring them or attempting to convert them haphazardly in local garages.
The Commissioner-General warned that the GRA will no longer tolerate these breaches. New inspection protocols are being deployed at the ports and land borders to identify RHD vehicles before they are cleared.
“The law is clear. Right-hand drive vehicles pose a significant risk to our road users,” the GRA boss emphasized. “We are tightening controls to ensure these vehicles do not find their way onto our streets, and those caught attempting to circumvent these rules will face the full rigors of the law, including seizure of the assets.”
Digital synergy: The new defence
The GRA’s strategy to tackle both financial leakage and illegal imports relies heavily on the “Publican” AI system and the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS). By cross-referencing global price indices and banking data, the GRA can now flag “ghost imports” in real-time.
The Authority’s message is clear: the era of lax oversight is over. By closing the GH¢31 billion loophole and purging the market of prohibited vehicles, the GRA aims to stabilize the Cedi, protect domestic industries, and ensure the safety of the Ghanaian public.
Importers and clearing agents are urged to comply with the new directives or risk heavy penalties, as the GRA moves to restore total integrity to Ghana’s trade corridors.
