The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has interdicted five officers from its Customs Division with immediate effect following preliminary findings of procedural breaches linked to a transit cargo operation bound for Niger.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the GRA said the interdiction comes after discrepancies were detected during an enforcement operation on February 18, 2026. The consignment in question was declared as transit cargo for onward movement to the landlocked country.
According to the Authority, checks during the operation revealed inconsistencies in documentation and non-compliance with established transit procedures. While details on the specific nature or value of the goods were not disclosed, initial assessments pointed to potential procedural breaches that warrant a more detailed and independent review.
The action follows a high-profile interception on the same date involving 18 articulated trucks carrying over 44,000 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti, declared as duty-free transit goods en route to Niger via the Akanu border post in the Volta Region and the Kulungugu route. The joint operation by GRA Customs and the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security uncovered irregularities, including lack of proper escort for the transit cargo, discrepancies in documentation, valuation, classification, and weights.
Initial Customs assessments indicated a tax liability of around GH¢2.6 million, but a subsequent audit revised the potential revenue exposure to GH¢85,306,578.33, suggesting an alleged attempt to divert the consignment into the local market without paying full duties and taxes. Twelve trucks were intercepted along the Dawhenya–Tema Road in a late-night exercise, with eleven secured at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Transit Terminal in Tema and one transferred due to mechanical issues. The remaining six trucks were later located and verified.
GRA noted that the investigation is ongoing and may expand, with additional officers potentially called upon to assist. Once concluded, appropriate administrative actions will be taken in line with applicable laws and regulations.