Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister for Finance, has commended the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for intercepting 12 articulated trucks along the Dawhenya–Tema Road.
He described the development as a decisive step in protecting state revenue.
The operation, conducted between 2200 hours and 0500 hours, was led by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
The 12 trucks form part of a consignment of 18 electronically gated-out transit goods, declared as moving from the Akanu border in the Volta Region to Niger via Kulungugu.
They were intercepted while moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, in breach of Ghana’s transit procedures.
The trucks contained 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti, with taxes at risk estimated to exceed GH¢85 million.
Eleven trucks have been secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal under strict Customs supervision, supported logistically by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and its contents are being transferred to another vehicle to safeguard the goods.
Preliminary checks confirmed that all 18 trucks were electronically gated out, but only 12 have been physically secured.
Investigations are ongoing to track the remaining six vehicles.
Commending the enforcement team, Mr. Ampem said the swift action demonstrates the Government’s resolve to clamp down on transit diversion and revenue leakages.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks.
“I have asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations in one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved,” he said.
Mr. Ampem noted the potential revenue loss was significant, and the crime serious, adding: “We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious.”
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner-General of the GRA, cautioned businesses and traders to comply fully with Customs laws and procedures.
“We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he warned.
He said that the GRA would act decisively against any individual or business found culpable of actions that denied the state much-needed revenue.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
20 Feb. 2026
Caption: Pictures Attached
