The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has constituted a nine-member investigative committee to probe allegations regarding the unauthorized removal, transfer, and disappearance of 28 containers at the Tema Port.
The decision follows a petition dated September 29, 2026, submitted to the Commissioner-General by a coalition of importers and clearing representatives who raised alarms over the location of their cargo.
According to the petition, filed by agents Elvis Kwabena Awuah and Ibrahim Amadou alongside importer representatives Amadu Diande and Amadou Djiguba, the affected consignments were at various stages of the customs clearance process before vanishing. The petitioners cited multiple Bill of Lading numbers and revealed that the missing cargo contained high-value goods, including cyanide, condensed milk, sardines, alcohol, textiles, pharmaceuticals, black pepper, and tomato paste.
The petitioners alleged that some containers were found completely emptied, while others were unlawfully offloaded into private warehouses near the GHACEM enclave or moved out of the port entirely without their knowledge.
“Management considers these allegations extremely serious because of their direct implications for revenue assurance, port security, and the overall reputation of the GRA,” stated Mr. Sarpong during the committee’s i
naugurating directive.
The matter has also been reported to the Tema Regional Police Command. Police sources confirm that preliminary arrests have been made, with suspects currently out on police inquiry bail while investigations continue.
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To ensure a comprehensive probe, the Commissioner-General appointed the Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Aaron Kanor, to chair the Fact-Finding and Investigative Committee.
Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General, Elsie Appau-Klu Esq., will serve as Member and Secretary. The panel also brings together key technical heads across the revenue agency, including:
● Freeman Sarbah Esq. (Head of Legal)
● Mrs. Theresa Potakey (Head of Customs Port Operations)
● Mr. Alphonse Quainoo (Head of Post Clearance Audit)
● Mr. Charles Agbeko (Head of Preventive)
● Mr. Divine Agbeko (Head of Policy & Programmes)
● Mr. Patrick Intarmah (Head of Investigations, EGG)
● Mr. Gerald Agbetor (ICUMS System Administrator)
The committee will receive technical support from Assistant Commissioner Diana Ayorkor Agbenyega (DMCE).
14-Day Mandate
The investigative panel has been given a strict 14-day deadline from the date of the memorandum to complete its work and submit a final report.
As part of its terms of reference, the panel is tasked with establishing the physical status and location of all 28 containers. Members will conduct an exhaustive review of data trails on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), inspecting Uncleared Cargo List (UCL) records, gazetting processes, and gate-out logs tied to the affected Bills of Lading.
“The committee must determine whether standard customs clearance procedures were breached, identify any GRA officers or external collaborators involved, and establish the exact extent of revenue losses to recommend recovery measures,” Mr. Sarpong directed.
He added that the panel will specifically examine allegations of cartel activity and the purported misuse of high-ranking officials’ names to bypass port protocols. Beyond assigning liability, the team is expected to propose systemic and administrative reforms to seal security loopholes at the country’s main sea trade hub.
“All heads of divisions, the Tema Collection, and external port stakeholders are hereby directed to provide the committee with maximum cooperation,” the Commissioner-General emphasized.
