The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has welcomed the government’s recent directive banning selected transit goods through the Aflao border, describing it as a “bold and timely intervention” that will help safeguard local industries and strengthen regulatory control.
In a statement issued on Monday February 23, 2026, FABAG noted that the influx of transit goods through land borders has long undermined local manufacturing and distorted market competition, particularly in the food and beverages sector.
Commenting on the development, FABAG said; “This decisive action at Aflao is a significant step toward protecting local businesses and ensuring that legitimate operators are not unfairly disadvantaged.”
The association further highlighted the importance of continued enforcement at the border, emphasizing the benefits for both the economy and national revenue; “Strict regulation at entry points like Aflao promotes fair trade, curbs illicit activity, and strengthens border security, which ultimately benefits all Ghanaians.”
Background
The directive follows heightened concerns over abuse of Ghana’s transit regime, where goods declared as “in transit” to neighbouring landlocked countries are sometimes diverted into the local market without payment of appropriate duties.
In a memorandum dated February 20, 2026, the Aflao Sector Commander of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Reginald Duh, ordered that specific products should no longer be admitted under the transit regime through approved entry points under the Aflao Collection, namely Aflao Main and Akanu.
The memo, titled “Ban on the Transit of the Underlisted Products Through Aflao Entry Points,” listed rice, sugar, cooking oil, spaghetti and tin tomatoes as products prohibited from being admitted under transit at those entry points. It further cautioned that “Any Station or Officer defying this simple Order will be severely sanctioned.”
The move comes after recent enforcement operations in which the Ghana Revenue Authority intercepted about 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao border posts carrying cooking oil, spaghetti, tomato paste and other goods declared as transit to Niger. Investigations reportedly uncovered discrepancies in declared values and weights, raising concerns over potential revenue losses estimated at more than GH¢85 million.
Authorities also indicated that some consignments were moving without mandatory customs human escorts, breaching established transit procedures and exposing systemic weaknesses in enforcement controls.
The ban at Aflao is therefore seen as part of broader efforts to tighten customs oversight, prevent diversion of goods, protect government revenue and ensure fair competition for local producers, particularly within the food and beverages sector.
FABAG reaffirmed its support for the government’s efforts and signaled its readiness to collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure effective implementation of the directive.
