Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has directed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to immediately ban the land transit of selected imported goods as part of measures to strengthen border controls and protect government revenue.
The directive followed a meeting between the minister, the Acting Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Akanor, and the management of the Customs Division of the GRA to discuss recent developments at Ghana’s borders.
Under the new directive, nine categories of goods will no longer be allowed to enter or transit through Ghana via land borders and must instead be routed exclusively through the country’s seaports.
The affected products include cooking oil, rice, sugar, frozen products, textiles, flour, canned tomatoes, pasta or spaghetti, and pharmaceutical products.
“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,” he stated.
Dr. Forson also directed the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau to strengthen customs operations and improve coordination.
“I have also directed the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB). This will establish a one-stop shop for valuation and strengthen intelligence sharing, including insights generated through the Publican AI system,” he said.
According to him, the measures are aimed at addressing revenue leakages and strengthening monitoring at Ghana’s borders.
“These measures are intended to strengthen border controls, close revenue leakages, and safeguard government revenue,” he noted.
He further directed all relevant departments within the Customs Division of the GRA to strictly comply with the new measures.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
