Government recovers GH¢15 million through new trade data system - Ampem Nyarko

Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that the government has recovered GH¢15 million in revenue from five importing companies after a new trade data verification system exposed falsified import records.

This development comes as the government and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) prepare to roll out a new digital inspection AI tool to track and safeguard Ghana’s customs operations.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement on the Publican Digital Inspection Solution System on January 16, 2026, Ampem revealed that five importers have already been invited for questioning following the detection of discrepancies in their declared trade data.

“So far, five of these importers have been invited, and we have discovered and recovered additional revenue of GH¢15 million from only five companies. This particular system has been able to detect falsified trade data. There is clear evidence that this innovation will help us maintain accurate records and determine precisely what importers are required to pay,” he said.

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According to him, the early success of the system demonstrates its potential to significantly improve revenue mobilisation and ensure accuracy in customs declarations.

He assured compliant importers that the initiative poses no threat to legitimate business operations.

“All those of you doing clean business have no cause to worry at all adding that the focus is on importers who deliberately falsify trade data to evade taxes," he added.

Ampem warned that from February, when full implementation of the programme begins, importers engaged in such practices should be prepared to pay the correct duties on all imports.

He further clarified that the initiative is not intended to restrict trade but rather to promote fairness and transparency within the customs system.

“This is not about creating barriers to trade, but about building a fair, predictable, and technology-driven customs environment that supports honest traders while effectively deterring fraud and smuggling,” he said.



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