Ato Forson Is ‘Mad’ …Threatens Fire And Brimstone As Ghana Loses Over GH¢85m At The Akanu Border

The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has issued a strong warning to erring Customs officers, following the uncovering of a suspected transit diversion scheme that has exposed the state to a staggering GH¢85.3 million in potential revenue losses at the Akanu Border Post.

The Minister’s outburst came after a working visit to the Akanu and Aflao border posts, prompted by intelligence-led operations by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, which intercepted 18 articulated trucks declared as goods in transit to Niger.

In a meeting with top Customs officials after the inspection, Dr Ato Forson expressed deep frustration over what he described as activities undermining both state revenue and local industry.

“The edible companies in Tema are threatening to shut down because of your activities. What is going on? What is going on here? But I have to assure you, this one I will act and I will act decisively,” he declared in a video footage sighted by The Chronicle.

The Interception and Emerging Irregularities

According to a detailed statement published on his official X handle, the 18 trucks had been declared as transit goods destined for Niger, with exit designated at Kulungugu via the Eastern Corridor, under Bill of Entry Number 80226125039. The cargo was declared as comprising 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilograms.

However, intelligence and field surveillance later established that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required under Ghana’s transit control protocols – a key safeguard meant to prevent diversion of goods into the domestic market.

Following the interception exercise, 12 of the 18 trucks were successfully impounded. Eleven have since been secured at the Tema Transit Yard where detailed inspections, investigations and further legal processes are ongoing.

One of the trucks overturned while allegedly attempting to evade interception, spilling its cargo in the process. The remaining six trucks are currently being tracked and pursued by enforcement officers.

From GH¢2.6 Million to GH¢85.3 Million

Initial assessments placed the suspended duties and taxes at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered significant discrepancies in the declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights of the cargo.

These irregularities substantially understated the true tax liability.Subsequent revaluation has now revised the suspended revenue exposure to GH¢85,306,578.33 — a dramatic escalation that has intensified scrutiny of Customs oversight mechanisms.

Preliminary findings, according to the Minister, point to systemic control weaknesses as well as possible human complicity.

Disciplinary and Criminal Proceedings Loom

Dr Forson has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority to undertake comprehensive investigations without delay, stressing that any Customs officer found culpable will face prompt disciplinary action in accordance with the law.

He further indicated that criminal investigations will not be limited to officials alone, but will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution. The full rigours of the law, he assured, will be applied.

The impounded goods, he added, will be disposed of strictly in accordance with applicable legal provisions through lawful auction processes.

Immediate Policy Measures

In response to what he described as abuse of Ghana’s transit regime, the Finance Minister has ordered sweeping immediate reforms.

He announced that all land transit of cooking oil has been prohibited with immediate effect, explaining that such consignments must henceforth be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports. He further directed that all transactions originating from land collection points will be subjected to enhanced monitoring, tracking, and strict compliance enforcement to safeguard state revenue.

Additionally, he instructed the prompt commencement of disciplinary measures and legal prosecution of Customs officers found culpable in similar circumstances.

The Minister’s reference to edible oil companies in Tema, threatening to shutdown, underscores the broader economic implications of transit diversion schemes. Industry players have long complained that goods declared for transit are frequently diverted into the domestic market without payment of the appropriate duties, thereby undercutting compliant importers and distorting fair competition.

At a time when government is under pressure to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and stabilise the fiscal environment, the GH¢85.3 million exposure represents not only a Customs control failure, but also a significant macro-fiscal concern.

“Every cedi matters in our collective effort to fund national priorities,” Dr. Forson emphasised.

A Defining Test for Revenue Integrity

The Akanu interception is shaping up as a critical test of Ghana’s Customs enforcement architecture and the government’s commitment to plugging revenue leakages at the country’s borders.

For the Finance Ministry, the episode signals what may become a decisive shift toward stricter enforcement and accountability within the revenue collection system and a clear warning that the era of tolerance for transit diversion is drawing to a close.

 

 

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