Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that formal processes are underway to investigate the alleged diversion of 18 articulated trucks loaded with assorted goods, including cooking oil, spaghetti and tomato paste, in what is suspected to be a transit fraud scheme.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, he assured the public that authorities are treating the matter with urgency and will impose sanctions on all persons found to have played a role in the operation. He stressed that government is determined to clamp down on organised customs-related fraud and restore discipline within the system.
According to him, the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, has directed the leadership of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to act swiftly. He disclosed that preliminary steps, including internal reviews and administrative procedures, have commenced and could soon lead to immediate punitive measures.
“The Minister gave directives to the Commissioner-General of Customs to act immediately. The report I got from the Commissioner-General as at last night indicates that they have started their internal processes and we expect that by close of day today or tomorrow, some disciplinary actions will take place. It is going to happen,” he said.
“Queries were issued to the officers who were assigned to escort the trucks out of Ghana and they are expected to respond by end of day today. After that, the necessary action including interdiction, will happen. The interdiction will happen.”
The directive follows the interception of 18 articulated trucks suspected to be part of a transit diversion network at the Akanu and Aflao border posts. The trucks had reportedly been declared for transit to Niger but were suspected to have been diverted onto the local market, a practice that deprives the state of significant customs revenue.
On February 18, 2026, the GRA, acting through its Customs Division, intercepted 12 of the trucks and confirmed that they were carrying 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti. Authorities estimate that the potential tax exposure linked to the consignment exceeds GH¢85 million.
Mr. Ampem commended the Customs Division for what he described as a bold move to protect state revenue, noting that investigations are ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks. He added that he has directed the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, to conclude investigations within one week, while two Customs officers connected to the matter are being tracked.
“We take these things seriously because the impact on our revenue is serious,” he stressed.
For his part, Mr. Sarpong warned businesses and traders to comply strictly with Customs laws and procedures, cautioning that the Authority would not hesitate to enforce the law against offenders. “We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,” he stated.
The enforcement exercise, carried out between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, was led by the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations. The team included the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), officers from Customs Headquarters and the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security.
Eleven of the intercepted trucks have since been secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal under strict Customs supervision, with support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and arrangements are underway to transfer its cargo to another vehicle.
Preliminary checks indicate that all 18 trucks were electronically cleared from the system as transit goods destined for Niger through Kulungugu, yet only 12 have been physically accounted for. Investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining six trucks and determine the full extent of the suspected diversion network.