An overnight enforcement operation by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has led to the interception of 12 articulated trucks carrying thousands of undeclared food products along the Dawhenya–Tema corridor.
The operation, which ran from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., was spearheaded by the Deputy Commissioner of Operations. The team included the Chief Revenue Officer (Preventive, Tema Collection), officers from Customs Headquarters and Tema Collection, as well as members of the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security.
What Was Found
Customs officials reported that the trucks were transporting 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti. The goods had reportedly been electronically cleared from the Customs system and declared as transit cargo originating from Akanu and destined for Niger via Kulungugu.
However, authorities say the vehicles were moving without the mandatory Customs human escort — a key requirement under Ghana’s transit procedures designed to prevent diversion of goods into the local market without proper duties being paid. Officials described this as a significant breach of established regulations.
Revenue at Risk
Preliminary assessments suggest the intercepted consignments could represent a potential revenue loss of approximately GH¢85.3 million if the goods had been unlawfully diverted. An initial valuation of the seized products stands at about GH¢2.62 million.
Of the 18 trucks said to have been electronically gated out of the system, only 12 were physically intercepted during the operation. Eleven of the seized vehicles have since been transported to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Transit Terminal, where they are under strict Customs supervision. One truck developed a mechanical fault during the exercise, and arrangements are underway to transfer its cargo onto another vehicle to secure the goods.
Ongoing Investigations
Customs officials have launched further investigations to track the remaining six trucks and to determine whether there was any internal collusion or procedural lapses that enabled the consignments to bypass escort requirements.
The GRA Customs Division has reiterated its resolve to protect state revenue and maintain the integrity of Ghana’s transit trade system. Authorities say any attempt to circumvent revenue mobilisation processes will be met with firm enforcement action.
The overnight sweep highlights renewed efforts by Customs to tighten monitoring along key trade routes and prevent abuse of the country’s transit regime.
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Source: Africa Publicity
