Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, has imposed an immediate ban on the land transit of certain imported goods to strengthen customs oversight and protect government revenue.
The directive, announced following a meeting on March 9 with Acting Customs Commissioner Aaron Akanor and senior management of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division, requires that specific goods now enter the country only through seaports. Officials said seaports provide more secure and efficient monitoring and valuation systems.
Goods affected by the new policy include sugar, frozen foods, textiles, flour, and pharmaceuticals. This expands an earlier ban that targeted rice, cooking oil, pasta, and canned tomatoes.
“These goods must now be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports and will no longer be permitted to enter or transit through Ghana via land borders,” Dr Forson told reporters, emphasizing the need to close loopholes that allow revenue leakage.
In addition to the transit restrictions, the Finance Minister has directed the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB). The move aims to create a one-stop centre for customs valuation while improving intelligence sharing among customs officers.
Dr Forson also noted that the Publican Artificial Intelligence system will be leveraged to enhance monitoring of imports and detect irregularities in trade declarations. All departments and units within the Customs Division have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the new rules.
