The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to immediately implement a series of measures aimed at strengthening border controls and protecting government revenue.
The directive follows a meeting between the finance minister, the Acting Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Aaron Akanor, and the management of the Customs Division of the GRA to review recent developments at Ghana’s borders.
Following the discussions,
the Minister ordered an immediate ban on the land transit of selected goods, instructing that the affected products must be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports and will no longer be permitted to enter or transit through the country via land borders.
The products affected by the directive include:
1. Cooking oil
2. Rice
3. Sugar
4. Frozen products
5. Textiles
6. Flour
7. Canned tomatoes
8. Pasta / Spaghetti
9. Pharmaceutical products
According to the Minister, the decision forms part of efforts to tighten border controls and address recurring revenue leakages associated with the transit of these goods through land borders.
In addition, Dr. Forson directed the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) to establish a one-stop shop for valuation and improve intelligence sharing within the Customs Division.
The move will also enhance the use of data and insights generated through the Publican AI system, strengthening Customs’ ability to detect irregularities and improve compliance.
The finance minister emphasised that the measures are intended to strengthen enforcement at Ghana’s borders, close revenue leakages, and safeguard government revenue.
He has therefore instructed all relevant departments and units within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to ensure strict compliance with the new directives with immediate effect.
On his part the newly minted commissioner customs said they will do their possible best to not let down the minister and the nation.