The Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has launched a major crackdown on customs corruption following the discovery of a massive GH₵85.3 million revenue leakage at the Tema Port. The scheme involved the diversion of goods intended for transit to neighboring landlocked countries (such as Burkina Faso and Mali) into the local Ghanaian market to evade taxes.
Ato Forson, who took office in January 2025 as part of President Mahama’s "Reset" government, has ordered the immediate arrest and investigation of several customs officers and clearing agents suspected of conniving with the cargo diversion ring.
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| Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson |
The GH₵85 Million Leakage Uncovered
The fraud was identified by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) after it was discovered that at least six trucks carrying high-value cargo—which were documented as "in transit"—never exited Ghana’s borders.
The Modus Operandi: Smugglers allegedly used open trucks reinforced with tarpaulins to hide goods, manipulating the cargo's height and weight to bypass weighbridges and tracking systems.
Collusion with Officers: Preliminary audits suggest that some customs officers operated a "parallel system" within the GRA, demanding payments from traders to allow diverted containers to move freely between Tema and regional centers like Kumasi.
Bank Account Audits: As part of the crackdown, the Finance Minister has directed an audit of the bank accounts of specific officers at the Customs Division to identify "unexplained wealth" linked to the fraud.
The "Transit Task Force" and High-Tech Trackers
To "stop the leaking," the Ministry of Finance is deploying a new Transit Task Force and advanced digital tools to secure the trade corridors.
E-Cargo Tracking System: The GRA is intensifying the rollout of e-cargo tracking devices equipped with long-lasting batteries (up to two months) that trigger immediate alarms if a container is tampered with or deviates from its approved route.
Mandatory Containerization: In line with international standards, the government is moving to enforce a policy that all transit cargo must be containerized, making it significantly harder to manipulate than open-truck loads.
Digital Transparency: The administration is leveraging the UNIPASS/ICUMS platform to reduce human intervention and eliminate the "paper-based" loopholes that historically fueled port corruption.
Political and Social Context
This crackdown is a central pillar of the Mahama administration's "Reset Agenda," which seeks to stabilize the economy by plugging revenue leakages rather than just increasing taxes.
A Call for Integrity: Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem recently reminded customs officials that "every Cedi lost to fraud represents unbuilt schools and inadequate healthcare".
Trader Advocacy: The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has welcomed the probe but warned that the task forces themselves must be monitored to ensure they do not become new vehicles for extortion against legitimate traders.
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