Trade minister has intervened to address disruptions in Free Zones operations after a customs directive halted the processing and receipt of finished goods, raising concerns among exporters and manufacturers.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, led talks with industry stakeholders following a petition from the Association of Free Zones Enterprises, which flagged operational challenges linked to the directive.
The restrictions, issued by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, temporarily blocked the movement of finished goods into Free Zone enclaves, disrupting consignments at ports and affecting companies operating under commercial Free Zone licenses. The meeting brought together regulators and businesses to assess the impact and identify solutions that preserve regulatory oversight while allowing trade flows to resume.
Customs officials defended the move as a response to compliance breaches within the Free Zones regime. Aaron Kanor, Commissioner of Customs, said the directive was introduced after authorities uncovered cases of companies smuggling finished goods into Free Zone areas under the guise of legitimate operations.
The Free Zones program, overseen by the Ghana Free Zones Authority, is designed to promote export-led industrialization by offering tax and regulatory incentives to qualifying firms. Ofosu-Adjare said the government is seeking a balanced approach that addresses regulatory breaches without undermining legitimate businesses or disrupting supply chains.
Discussions focused on restoring operational certainty for compliant firms while tightening oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of the system. The minister also called for closer collaboration between customs authorities and the Free Zones Authority, including enhanced joint monitoring within enclaves to ensure compliance.
The engagement follows mounting pressure from industry players for clarity on the directive and its implications for ongoing shipments and contracts. Businesses operating in Free Zones have warned that prolonged disruptions could affect export commitments and investor confidence if not resolved quickly.
Authorities did not immediately indicate when normal processing would fully resume, but signaled that implementation of revised measures would prioritize both enforcement and continuity in trade operations.
