Ghana bans land transit of rice, sugar, frozen food and others

The government of Ghana has announced a sweeping ban on the land transit of several imported goods as part of new measures aimed at strengthening border controls and safeguarding national revenue.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed the directive after a high-level meeting with Acting Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Akanor, and senior officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The ban covers a wide range of commonly traded products, including:

• Cooking oil

• Rice

• Sugar

• Frozen foods

• Textiles

• Flour

• Canned tomatoes

• Pasta and spaghetti

• Pharmaceutical products

Dr Ato Forson explained that the restrictions are designed to close loopholes in the import and transit system that have historically led to revenue leakages.

Finance Minister announces measures to close revenue leakages at borders

“Earlier today, I met with the Acting Commissioner of Customs and the management of the Customs Division to discuss developments at our borders and to take decisive steps to protect Ghana’s revenue,” the minister stated in a Facebook post.

In addition to the transit ban, the Finance Minister has ordered the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB), the unit responsible for valuation and technical support within the Customs Division.

“These measures are intended to strengthen border controls, close revenue leakages and safeguard government revenue,” Dr Ato Forson emphasised.