The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced a major breakthrough in its intensified anti-smuggling campaign, revealing that two coordinated enforcement operations undertaken with national security and military support have prevented an estimated GHS 3.6 million in revenue losses.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, disclosed the details during a briefing on the authority’s recent interventions to protect Ghana’s borders and safeguard national revenue.
Mr. Sarpong explained that the first operation took place on November 22, 2025, when a joint team led by the Customs Division intercepted four trucks loaded with diverted goods in a warehouse within the Tema enclave.
The trucks were carrying over 9,000 jerry cans of cooking oil that had been falsely declared as transit goods destined for Burkina Faso. By misclassifying the items as transit-bound, importers attempted to avoid paying duties, since transit goods do not attract import taxes.
“These items were falsely declared as transit goods using Burkina Faso as their destination, but in reality, they were diverted into a warehouse in the Tema enclave. It will interest you to know that transit goods do not attract payment of duties and that’s why we believe these goods were falsely described as such.
“Secondly, we also noted that devices that we fixed on these tracks to monitor their movement through Ghana to the destinations were tampered with. Again, suggesting that there was a real intention to actually avoid duty and divert these goods.”
Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General fo the GRA
“That action alone saved the state 1.9 million Ghana cedis,” he said. Mr. Sarpong noted that the Tema seizure was followed by another enforcement exercise around the same period at the Aflao Collection enclave. Multiple trucks suspected of transporting uncustomed goods were intercepted, with items including rice, sugar, tomato paste, beverages, textiles, and clothes.
According to the GRA, the intercepted items had either been misclassified or undervalued to significantly reduce the duties owed. The estimated revenue loss associated with these consignments amounted to approximately GHS 1.7 million.
Taken together, the two operations yielded an estimated GHS 3.6 million in revenue protection for the state—an outcome Mr. Sarpong applauded as evidence of the growing synergy between the GRA and Ghana’s security agencies.
“Through the vigilant actions of the Customs Division in collaboration with national security and the military, we were able to prevent revenue loss of GHS 3.6 million and therefore protect the national affairs”.
Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General fo the GRA
Disposal of Confiscation Goods
He further confirmed that all items seized—including the cooking oil, rice, sugar, and textiles—have been confiscated and are now under the full control of the GRA. The authority intends to dispose of the goods through sale, with proceeds paid directly into state coffers.
Beyond confiscation, the Commissioner-General made clear that the GRA is also empowered to sanction truck owners whose vehicles facilitated the smuggling attempts. “We will surcharge the truck owners an appropriate amount for using their assets or vehicles to facilitate movements that could lead to loss of revenue,” he added.
Mr. Sarpong emphasized that the decisive enforcement actions reaffirm the GRA’s commitment to combating smuggling, strengthening border protection, and ensuring compliance with customs regulations. He warned that smuggling poses a serious threat to legitimate businesses, job creation, and national development.
“Smuggling kills businesses, takes away job opportunities for our people, and denies the state the necessary revenue for national development. If you smuggle and we arrest you, we will confiscate your goods, and you will lose your capital to the state”.
Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General fo the GRA
As part of its broader strategy, Mr Sarpong stressed that the GRA will continue making arrests, sealing unauthorized routes, and monitoring the movement of goods across Ghana’s borders.
According to the Commissioner-General, the authority remains resolute in preventing individuals and businesses from undermining systems put in place to ensure tax and customs compliance. “We will not accept any attempt to circumvent our systems and processes,” he stated.
Calls for Tax Compliance
In his appeal to the business community and the public, Mr. Sarpong encouraged voluntary compliance and urged all entities to honor their tax obligations. He also urged the public to support the GRA’s enforcement work by reporting suspicious activities related to tax evasion and smuggling.
“We therefore call on businesses that are genuinely compliant with their tax obligations to continue to do so. However, we will apply all necessary enforcement measures to curtail the activities of individuals and businesses who do not comply with the law”.
Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General fo the GRA
To facilitate public contribution to the fight against smuggling, the GRA highlighted the availability of its Informant Award Scheme, which provides monetary rewards to individuals or organizations who supply credible information leading to tax recovery.
Informants may contact the authority via its toll-free number, 0800 900 110, and are assured of strict confidentiality. “If you give us intelligent or alert information, we will protect your identity, we will work on it, and when the taxes are recovered, we will duly return your share to you through the policy,” he explained.
Mr. Sarpong concluded by reaffirming the GRA’s resolve to work with all stakeholders to protect Ghana’s revenue base. He appealed to Ghanaians to honor their tax responsibilities as part of the collective effort to build the nation. “Let us remember to pay our taxes and to build Ghana together,” he said.
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