Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraud. Ghana intercepts 18 transit trucks to Niger as tax discrepancies expose GHS85.3 million revenue risk. GRA launches investigations and tightens controls.
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed a major transit diversion scheme involving eighteen articulated trucks initially declared as goods in transit to Niger.
The interception, carried out by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has uncovered significant discrepancies that pushed the country’s suspended revenue exposure to over GHS 85 million. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraud.
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The development has triggered immediate policy directives, investigations, and enforcement actions aimed at protecting Ghana’s customs regime and safeguarding state revenue. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraud.
How the Transit Diversion Scheme Was Uncovered
On Wednesday night, Customs officials intercepted eighteen articulated trucks that had been declared as goods in transit to Niger.
The trucks were released from the Akanu Border Post and were scheduled to move along the Eastern Corridor with exit designated at Kulungugu under Bill of Entry Number 80226125039. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraud.
However, intelligence and field surveillance revealed that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required under Ghana’s transit protocols — a key red flag in transit operations.
The declared cargo consisted of:
- 44,055 packages
- 879,860 kilograms in total weight
Current Status of the Trucks
Out of the eighteen trucks intercepted:
- Twelve trucks have been impounded
- Eleven are secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection and legal processing
- One truck overturned while attempting to evade interception, spilling its cargo
- Six trucks are still being actively pursued
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full scale of the attempted diversion. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraud.
Revenue Impact: From GHS2.6m to GHS85.3m
Initially, suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GHS 2,619,748.81.
However, post-interception examinations revealed serious discrepancies in:
- Declared unit values
- Tariff classifications
- Cargo weights
These irregularities significantly understated the actual tax liability.
Following reassessment, the revised suspended revenue exposure now stands at:
GHS 85,306,578.33
This represents one of the most significant recent exposures linked to suspected transit diversion in Ghana.
Government Directives and Immediate Policy Changes
In response to the incident, Dr. Ato Forson has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority to undertake comprehensive investigations without delay.
Immediate Measures Announced:
- Ban on land transit of cooking oil – All such consignments must now pass exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.
- Enhanced monitoring at land collection points – Stricter tracking and compliance enforcement will be implemented.
- Disciplinary and legal action – Any Customs officer found culpable will face prompt disciplinary measures. Criminal investigations will extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.
The impounded goods will be auctioned strictly in accordance with applicable laws.
Investigation Into Possible Human Complicity
Preliminary findings point to systemic control weaknesses and possible human involvement within the customs process.
The Minister has assured that:
- No officer found culpable will be shielded.
- Criminal prosecution will proceed where evidence supports it.
- The full rigours of the law will be applied.
Protecting Ghana’s Revenue and Local Industry
Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting local industries, jobs, and domestic revenue mobilisation.
According to Dr. Ato Forson, Ghana’s customs regime will not be allowed to be exploited in ways that undermine national development.
He emphasised that:
“Every cedi matters in our collective effort to fund national priorities.”
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson Exposes GHS85m Transit Tax Fraudn
The interception of the eighteen articulated trucks highlights growing concerns about transit diversion schemes and revenue leakages within Ghana’s trade corridors.
With investigations underway and new enforcement measures introduced, the government aims to restore integrity to the transit regime while safeguarding national revenue.
