GRA Intercepts Goods, Prevents Huge Revenue Loss




The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has announced major breakthroughs in recent joint operations aimed at combating smuggling and safeguarding Ghana’s revenue. Addressing journalists in Accra, he revealed that the Customs Division, working closely with National Security and the military, had intercepted millions of cedis’ worth of diverted and undervalued goods at key border points and within the Tema enclave.
Mr. Sarpong disclosed that on 22 November 2025, a joint task force impounded four trucks loaded with over 9,000 jerry cans of cooking oil that had been falsely declared as transit goods destined for Burkina Faso. The goods, however, had been diverted into a warehouse in Tema. The devices installed by GRA to track the movement of the trucks were tampered with, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade duties.
The seized cooking oil carried import duties estimated at GH₵1.9 million, revenue that the state would have lost without timely intervention. “Transit goods do not attract duties, and this is why we believe the declaration was deliberately falsified,” the Commissioner-General explained.
Around the same period, enforcement teams at the Aflao Collection point intercepted several trucks loaded with undeclared or misclassified items including rice, sugar, tomato paste, beverages and textiles. These goods, which were either undervalued or misdescribed, carried potential duty losses of GH₵1.7 million.
Combined, the two operations helped the state avert a revenue loss of GH₵3.6 million.
Mr. Sarpong confirmed that all seized items are now in the custody of GRA and will be disposed of through authorized sales, with proceeds paid into the state coffers. In addition, truck owners whose vehicles were used for the illegal activities will be surcharged under the law.
“Smuggling kills businesses, takes away job opportunities, and denies the state the revenue needed for national development,” he stressed, warning that offenders risk losing both their goods and their capital.
He urged businesses to comply with tax laws and encouraged the public to support the fight against smuggling by sharing credible information with GRA. Through the Informant Award Scheme, whistleblowers who provide actionable intelligence leading to revenue recovery are entitled to monetary rewards. Citizens can report suspicious activities via the toll-free line 0800-900-110, with full assurance of confidentiality.
Reaffirming GRA’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s borders and revenue base, Mr. Sarpong concluded: “Let us know our taxes, pay our taxes, and build Ghana together.”







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