The Minister for Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to immediately implement new measures aimed at tightening border controls and safeguarding government revenue.
The directive was issued following a high-level meeting between the 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.
As part of the measures, the Finance Minister has ordered an immediate ban on the land transit of selected goods, directing that the affected products must be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports. Under the new directive, the listed goods will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through the country via land borders.
The products affected by the ban include:
- Cooking oil
- Rice
- Sugar
- Frozen products
- Textiles
- Flour
- Canned tomatoes
- Pasta/Spaghetti
- Pharmaceutical products
According to Dr. Forson, the move forms part of broader efforts to tighten border security and address recurring revenue leakages linked to the movement of these goods through land borders.
In addition to the transit ban, the minister also ordered the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) to create a one-stop shop for customs valuation and strengthen intelligence sharing within the Customs Division.
The restructuring is also expected to enhance the use of data and insights generated through the Publican AI system, improving the Customs Division’s ability to detect irregularities and ensure compliance with trade regulations.
Dr. Forson emphasised that the new directives are intended to strengthen enforcement at Ghana’s borders, close revenue leakages, and protect government revenue.
He has therefore instructed all relevant departments and units within the Customs Division of the GRA to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the new measures.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Acting Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Aaron Akanor, assured the minister that the Customs Division will work diligently to implement the directives and uphold the trust placed in them.
“We will do our possible best not to let down the minister and the nation,” he stated.
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