By Issah Olegor
The Ministry of Finance has launched a full-scale investigation into a massive transit fraud scheme at the Akanu border, which has exposed weaknesses in the customs oversight and resulted in a potential revenue loss of over GH¢85 million.
The probe, ordered by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, targets both systemic vulnerabilities and possible human complicity within the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, when 18 articulated trucks, officially declared as transit goods destined for Niger, were intercepted by GRA officials for moving without the legally mandated customs human escorts.
The trucks were carrying 44,055 packages of assorted goods, including edible cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste. Initial tax estimates for the consignment suggested a liability of GH¢2.6 million, but a detailed reassessment revealed the actual revenue exposure to be GH¢85,306,578.33 — highlighting the scale of the potential loss to the state.
Of the 18 trucks involved, 12 had been impounded at the Tema Transit Yard as of February 21, 2026.
The remaining six trucks are being actively traced using the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which monitors electronically gated transit movements in real time. Authorities are coordinating efforts to secure these outstanding vehicles and ensure full accountability.
Speaking on the matter, Ato Forson emphasized the seriousness of the breach, highlighting the dual threat posed by both human collusion and systemic weaknesses.
He directed the GRA to conduct an immediate probe into the circumstances surrounding the fraud, with a particular focus on whether Customs officers or other officials facilitated the illegal movement of goods.
To prevent a recurrence, the Finance Minister announced a new restriction on land transit for cooking oil consignments, mandating that all such goods must now enter Ghana exclusively through seaports.
This measure is intended to strengthen oversight and reduce the risk of revenue leakages at land borders.
Dr. Forson also warned that disciplinary and criminal proceedings will be pursued against any Customs officers found culpable, with investigations extending to importers and clearing agents who may have played a role in the scheme.
