The government has announced sweeping new measures aimed at tightening border controls and protecting national revenue, including an immediate ban on the land transit of several widely traded goods.
The directive was issued following a high-level meeting between the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Acting Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Akanor, to address recent developments at Ghana’s borders and growing concerns over revenue leakages.
Under the new policy, selected products will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Ghana via land borders. Instead, the goods must be routed exclusively through the country’s seaports for proper monitoring and valuation.
The affected products include cooking oil, rice, sugar, frozen products, textiles, flour, canned tomatoes, pasta or spaghetti, and pharmaceutical products.
Authorities say the move is designed to strengthen border control systems, improve customs valuation processes, and prevent illegal trade practices that undermine government revenue.
As part of the reforms, the government has also directed the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau, creating a single hub for valuation and intelligence coordination within the customs system.
Officials say the move will also enhance intelligence gathering using the Publican AI system, a technology platform designed to detect irregularities in trade and customs declarations.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the new directives as the government intensifies efforts to curb smuggling, seal revenue leakages, and strengthen the country’s trade monitoring system.
Authorities believe the measures will significantly improve revenue mobilisation while ensuring greater transparency in the importation and transit of goods into and through Ghana.
By Paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
