GH¢85 million Customs tax evasion probe suggest widespread abuse

The Herald has gathered fresh details about an ongoing investigation into the GH¢85 million attempted tax evasion scheme involving 12 articulated trucks transporting 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.

Investigations being conducted under the auspices of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) have already resulted in the dismissal of Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan from his post as Commissioner of the Customs

Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority with immediate effect.

Sources familiar with the probe say the former commissioner has made several appearances before investigators as part of efforts to assist the government’s inquiry and address questions surrounding his alleged culpability.

Insiders also indicated that the GH¢85 million case may not be an isolated incident, suggesting that the diversion of goods and tax evasion could be more widespread, with some senior customs officers and government officials at the Presidency deeply implicated.

Allegations have also emerged that public auctions of confiscated goods have become increasingly rare, with some seized items, including vehicles, reportedly allocated or sold to government officials at discounted prices. There was an instance in which confiscated goods allegedly worth over GH¢80 were sold for a paltry GH¢3.2 million.

Information available to this paper points to growing tensions between certain Customs officers and government officials, with accusations that some individuals at the Presidency are undermining the integrity of the revenue administration system and depriving the state of vital income.

In the case of the GH¢85 million, The Herald is informed that some customs officers linked to the matter have denied wrongdoing, maintaining that their actions were undertaken on instructions from higher authorities and that they had named those government officials in their written responses to the government.

The GH¢85 million controversy is said to have drawn the ire of the Minister of Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson, and prompted the GRA management to suspend five Customs Division officers as part of a broader investigation into the handling of a transit cargo consignment destined for Niger through the Akanu border in the Volta Region.

Documents sighted by this newspaper identified MAN-GOO Limited, located at Sakumono in Accra, as the importer connected to the trucks. However, no consignee in Niger has been confirmed yet. The company’s ownership has also been kept secret, though insiders insist it is known within the customs circles.

Further claims suggest that Brigadier General Annan was not the only official removed from office over revenue leakages, although some affected officers are said to have been retained following interventions by senior figures within the Ministry of Finance.

The interdictions followed a targeted enforcement operation on February 18, 2026, that uncovered significant discrepancies in documentation and processing procedures related to the cargo.

The President subsequently appointed Aaron Kanor to replace Brigadier General Annan, a move widely interpreted as an effort to strengthen oversight and accountability within the Customs Division.

In a statement, the GRA said preliminary findings indicated possible breaches of established transit protocols, necessitating an immediate and comprehensive internal review. The five interdicted officers are stepping aside pending the outcome of the investigations.

“Initial assessments indicate potential procedural breaches requiring further independent and comprehensive examination,” the statement noted. It added that the inquiry could be extended to other personnel, with the Authority pledging to take appropriate administrative action once the full facts are established.

Transit cargo movements are tightly regulated to prevent goods destined for neighbouring landlocked countries from being diverted onto the domestic market, a practice that can undermine local industries and result in substantial revenue losses.

The GRA sought to reassure the public and stakeholders that the swift action underscores its commitment to safeguarding national revenue and maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s borders.

“The Authority wishes to assure all stakeholders and the general public that this action reflects our commitment to protecting national revenue, supporting local industry and promoting overall economic development,” the statement said.

Prior to the interdictions, official correspondence seen by The Herald indicated that MAN-GOO Limited had sought permission to transport goods in transit from Togo through Ghana to Niger under Bill of Entry number 81225872581 dated 30 December 2025. The request was rejected, with Customs authorities directing the company to re-export the goods.

A letter dated January 8, 2026, signed by Kanor shortly after his appointment, formally declined the company’s application for a Customs escort and instructed that the consignment be returned to Togo. Copies were sent to the Sector Commander at Aflao and the Officer-in-Charge at Akanu.

Despite the directive, the company proceeded to move the trucks through Ghana some 41 days later. A specialised enforcement team from the Customs Division intercepted 12 of the vehicles during an overnight operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, while the remaining six were later traced.

The operation, conducted between 10 PM and 5 AM on February 18, involved personnel from Customs Headquarters, the Tema Collection, the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce and other enforcement units.

Officials described the incident as a serious breach of Ghana’s transit regime with significant implications for state revenue.

MAN-GOO Limited has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has indicated that the impounded goods could be auctioned in accordance with relevant laws.

Authorities estimate that, had the alleged scheme succeeded, the state might have lost more than GH¢85 million, raising further concerns about possible internal complicity.

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on February 20, 2026, visited the Akanu and Aflao border posts following the interception of articulated trucks involved in a transit diversion scheme.

On February 18, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), through its customs division, intercepted eighteen articulated trucks declared as goods in transit to Niger. Intelligence and field surveillance established that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required for such consignments.

The trucks were released from the Akanu Border Post for transit through the Eastern Corridor, exiting at Kulungugu en route to Niger under Bill of Entry (BOE) Number 80226125039. The declared cargo comprised 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilograms.

Twelve of the eighteen trucks have been impounded. Eleven were secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection, investigation, and further legal processing. One truck overturned while attempting to evade interception, spilling its cargo.

Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered material discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights. These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability and have resulted in a revised suspended revenue exposure of GH¢85,306,578.33.

Preliminary findings point to systemic control weaknesses and human complicity.

The Minister for Finance directed the GRA to conduct comprehensive investigations into the matter. Disciplinary action will be initiated against any Customs officers found culpable.

Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.

The impounded goods will be auctioned in accordance with applicable laws.

In response to this incident and the abuse of transit operations, the Minister has directed the GRA to implement the following immediate measures:

All land transit of cooking oil is hereby prohibited. Such consignments must be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports.

All transactions originating from land collection points will be subjected to enhanced monitoring, tracking, and strict compliance enforcement to safeguard state revenue.

Prompt implementation of disciplinary measures and legal prosecution of Customs officers found culpable in similar circumstances.

Government remains resolute in safeguarding local industry and jobs, while ensuring that Ghana’s customs regime is not exploited to undermine domestic revenue mobilisation and national development.