The Government of Ghana has introduced an immediate ban on the land transit of several imported goods, including sugar, textiles and pharmaceutical products, as part of intensified efforts to strengthen customs controls and protect national revenue.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson issued the directive on Monday, March 9, following high-level discussions with Acting Commissioner of Customs Aaron Akanor and senior leadership of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The new policy prohibits the entry or transit of the specified goods through Ghana’s land borders. Importers are now required to route these products exclusively through the country’s seaports, where customs authorities say monitoring, valuation and inspection processes are more rigorous and effective.
The affected items include:
– Sugar
– Frozen products
– Textiles
– Flour
– Pharmaceutical products
This latest restriction follows an earlier ban on the land transit of rice, cooking oil, pasta/spaghetti and canned tomatoes.
Dr Forson explained that the measure is aimed at closing loopholes that lead to revenue leakages and ensuring that all applicable import duties, taxes and levies are properly collected.
“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,” the Finance Minister stated.
In a parallel administrative reform, the Minister has ordered the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB). The restructured bureau will function as a one-stop centre for customs valuation and will facilitate improved intelligence sharing among customs officers.
The directive also mandates greater utilisation of the Publican Artificial Intelligence system to enhance real-time monitoring of imports, detect discrepancies in trade declarations and improve overall compliance.
Dr Forson has directed all departments and units within the GRA’s Customs Division to ensure full and immediate compliance with the new policy.