The government has banned the land transit of cooking oil through Ghana’s borders, following the interception of eighteen articulated trucks suspected of diverting goods worth over GH¢85 million.
The trucks, declared for transit to Niger, were released from the Akanu Border Post for travel through the Eastern Corridor but were found moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts, a breach of Ghana’s transit protocols. Each truck carried thousands of packages, totaling nearly 880 tonnes of goods.
As of Thursday, twelve of the eighteen trucks had been impounded. Eleven are held at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection, while one overturned while trying to evade authorities, spilling its cargo. Six other trucks remain at large.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson said the move is part of efforts to close loopholes and protect state revenue. “All land transit of cooking oil is hereby prohibited. Such consignments must be routed exclusively through Ghana’s seaports,” he said.
The Minister added that investigations are underway and that anyone found complicit will face the full force of the law. “Any Customs officer found culpable will face prompt disciplinary action in accordance with the law. Criminal investigations will also extend to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution. The full rigours of the law will be applied,” he said.
Initial assessments put suspended duties at GH¢2.6 million, but post-interception inspections revealed discrepancies in declared values, weights, and tariff classifications, revising potential revenue losses to over GH¢85 million.
Authorities said the ban will protect local edible oil producers from unfair competition and ensure stricter monitoring of transit goods. Measures include enhanced cargo tracking, reinforced escort protocols, and tighter supervision at land collection points.
Dr. Forson said the government remains determined to protect local industries and jobs and will not allow the customs system to be exploited in ways that undermine domestic revenue collection or national development. He emphasized that every cedi counts in funding the country’s priorities.
