Gov’t cracks down on revenue leakage:bans land transit of cooking oil

In a decisive move to protect state revenues and domestic industry, the Ghanaian government has announced an immediate ban on the transit of cooking oil through the country’s land borders. All consignments destined for landlocked neighboring countries must now be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.

The directive was issued by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, following a recent operation that intercepted eighteen articulated trucks. The vehicles, which were declared for transit to Niger, are suspected to be part of a larger scheme to divert goods and evade customs duties.

Under the new protocol, cooking oil shipments for onward transit will no longer be permitted to exit through land border collection points. Instead, they must pass through the country’s seaports, where authorities say stricter valuation systems, electronic tracking, scanning infrastructure, and layered customs controls are already in place.

This measure is designed to close loopholes that have resulted in significant financial losses for the state. Post-interception examinations of the impounded trucks revealed major discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights. As a result, the estimated revenue exposure for the state has been drastically revised from GH¢2.6 million to over GH¢85 million.

To ensure compliance, the Minister has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to intensify monitoring and enforcement at all land collection points. Enhanced measures will include rigorous cargo tracking, reinforced escort protocols for legitimate transit goods, and tighter supervisory oversight.

Furthermore, Dr. Ato Forson has ordered the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against any Customs officers found complicit in similar breaches. He also confirmed that criminal investigations will be extended to importers and clearing agents where evidence warrants prosecution.

Officials emphasized that the policy shift has a dual purpose: to safeguard public funds and to protect local edible oil producers from unfair competition, which often arises when transit goods are illegally diverted onto the domestic market.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to applying the full force of the law to prevent the exploitation of Ghana’s customs regime. This includes the confiscation and public auction of impounded goods, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to robust revenue mobilization and national development.