The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced the confiscation of goods transported in 18 intercepted transit trucks after investigations uncovered widespread Customs infractions, including the use of falsified trade documents, false declarations, and suspicious import activities.
Addressing a press conference on Customs enforcement actions and related arrests, Commissioner General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the Authority had concluded investigations into the intercepted trucks and was taking decisive action to protect state revenue and strengthen compliance within Ghana’s Customs regime.
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner General, GRA
According to the Commissioner General, the 18 trucks were intercepted around the Kpone area along the Tema Motorway following intelligence gathered by Customs officials.
“Following the interception, we constituted a committee to undertake a comprehensive re examination of all the consignments at the Tema Transit Area,” he said.
Mr. Sarpong explained that the committee was tasked with verifying the authenticity of the accompanying trade documents and determining whether the cargo matched the declarations made by the importers.
The investigation, he disclosed, revealed several serious violations of Customs regulations.
“The committee uncovered the use of falsified trade documents, discrepancies between the declared and actual quantities and descriptions of the goods, incorrect tariff classifications, inconsistencies regarding the identities of consignees, and patterns of prior suspicious activities linked to the consignments,” he stated.
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner General, GRA, addressing members of the committee
Describing the findings as grave breaches of Ghana’s Customs laws, the Commissioner General announced that the Authority had resolved to confiscate all the intercepted goods.
“Based on the committee’s findings, the intercepted goods will be confiscated in accordance with the law,” he declared.
He further revealed that the confiscated vegetable oil would be redirected for a public purpose instead of being destroyed or auctioned.
“Under the direction of the Ministry of Finance, the confiscated vegetable oil will be donated to the Ghana School Feeding Programme to support secondary schools across the country,” Mr. Sarpong announced.
He said the decision reflects government’s commitment to ensuring that seized goods are put to beneficial use while denying offenders any financial gains from fraudulent trade practices.
The Commissioner General reaffirmed the GRA’s resolve to intensify enforcement operations at the country’s ports and border entry points to curb smuggling, revenue leakages, and Customs fraud.
“We remain fully committed to protecting government revenue, strengthening border controls, and ensuring that all persons involved in Customs operations adhere to the highest standards of integrity and compliance,” he stressed.
He cautioned importers, clearing agents, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders against engaging in acts that undermine the country’s revenue mobilisation efforts.
Mr. Sarpong emphasized that the Authority would continue to deploy intelligence driven operations and rigorous inspections to detect and prevent illegal trade practices.
The latest enforcement action forms part of the GRA’s broader strategy to strengthen Customs administration, improve compliance, and safeguard public revenue through strict enforcement of Ghana’s import and transit regulations.
Story by Henry Eliud Yankey
