Ghana’s Revenue Authority (GRA) seized cartons of untaxed beverages in Accra on Friday as part of a crackdown aimed at reversing a sharp fall in excise revenue this year.
The Customs Division carried out the raid in busy markets near the Central Business District, including Makola, Tudu and the CMB enclave. Confiscated goods included Malta Guinness, Beta Malt and other carbonated and alcoholic drinks. The products were moved to a Customs warehouse while retailers were ordered to report for questioning on Monday.
Edward Appenteng Gyamera, Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division, said excise receipts – levied on alcohol, tobacco and sweetened drinks – have dropped significantly since the start of 2025 due to illicit imports and tax evasion.
“We have seen a significant drop in excise tax in the last few months, and it is the result of this behaviour by some suppliers and manufacturers,” Gyamera told reporters. “We want to send a message to all beverage producers to ensure the right taxes are paid before releasing any product into the market.”
The exercise followed a complaint from Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited, which reported that competing products from neighbouring West African markets were being sold locally without tax clearance. Officials said inspections during the raid confirmed the presence of untaxed stock in retail shops.
Excise duty is a key source of government revenue as Ghana pursues domestic resource mobilisation under its $3 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund. Authorities say widespread non-compliance in the beverage sector threatens both state revenues and fair competition for compliant manufacturers.
Gyamera said the operation marked the beginning of a wider enforcement campaign that will extend beyond retailers. “We shall prepare and do a bigger operation targeting the manufacturers,” he said.
