BY Daniel Bampoe
President John Dramani Mahama has ordered a leadership shake-up at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) following growing public concern over a missing containers that has raised serious questions about border security, revenue leakages, and internal accountability within the customs system.
In a move widely seen as a direct response to the scandal, the President appointed Aaron Kanor as Acting Commissioner of the Customs Division with immediate effect, replacing Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, who previously headed the division.
Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan
Aaron Kanor
Aaron Kanor until his appointment was the deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations.
The decision signals a renewed effort by the Mahama administration to restore public confidence in customs administration and strengthen institutional control over the ports and borders.
The leadership change follows allegation missing cargo containers and irregularities within the customs clearance and transit systems — incidents that have triggered public outcry, media scrutiny, and parliamentary interest.
Over recent months, concerns have mounted over weak enforcement, alleged collusion between clearing agents and officials, and failures in electronic tracking systems, leading to significant revenue losses for the state and exposing deep vulnerabilities in border management structures.
In an official statement issued by the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Presidency confirmed Kanor’s appointment, describing him as a seasoned customs professional with over three decades of service in revenue mobilization, border security, and trade facilitation.
The statement emphasized that his selection reflects a career marked by integrity, operational excellence, and strategic leadership.
Before his appointment, Kanor served as Officer-in-Charge of Port Operations, where he oversaw critical customs functions including enforcement of customs laws, revenue collection, and trade facilitation.
His leadership, according to the GRA, contributed significantly to strengthening border security systems and enhancing compliance within the international trade environment.
Throughout his career, Kanor has held several key leadership positions across the country, including Sector Commander at Kotoka International Airport and Wa Collections, as well as Chief Revenue Officer in multiple operational areas.
In these roles, he led intelligence-driven operations that curtailed smuggling networks, exposed invoice falsification schemes, and dismantled criminal syndicates involved in vehicle identification manipulation — actions that improved revenue performance and reinforced national security.
He has also been instrumental in driving modernization initiatives within the Customs Division, including the introduction of electronic valuation systems and strategic digitization projects aimed at reducing cargo clearance delays, improving operational efficiency, and aligning the customs administration with international best practices in trade facilitation and border control.
The GRA described his appointment as a strategic step toward strengthening customs administration, improving compliance enforcement, and supporting the economic growth through secure and efficient trade systems.
Officials say his leadership is expected to bring renewed direction, discipline, and institutional reform to the Customs Division at a time when public trust in border institutions has been severely tested.
The Authority, in its statement, expressed gratitude to outgoing Commissioner Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan for his service, while congratulating Kanor on his new role.
