The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intercepted 10 trucks loaded with automotive gas oil (diesel) in what officials say was an attempted tax evasion scheme that could have cost the state an estimated GH₵2.3 million in revenue.
The operation, conducted by the GRA’s Customs Preventive Division in collaboration with the National Security, took place between the night of October 7 and the early hours of October 8, 2025. The trucks, which carried about 540,000 litres of diesel, were intercepted at the port after intelligence reports indicated they were being diverted from their declared export route.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the trucks had disengaged tracking devices and diverted “under the cover of darkness” to avoid completing lawful export procedures. “Upon arrival at the port, our team discovered that no person had been designated to receive the product,” he said. “Investigations later revealed that the parties involved had disengaged the tracking devices that were placed on the tankers.”
Mr. Sarpong said the trucks were seized under Sections 115(1), 118(1), and 144(1) of the Customs Act, 2025 (Act 891), and investigations are ongoing to identify all individuals and companies involved.
He revealed that similar illegal operations had been detected in the past, leading to significant revenue losses. “Over the past few months, the Authority, together with National Security, has carried out several arrests and engaged some oil marketing companies (OMCs) to recover taxes and penalties,” he said. “But clearly, the actions we’ve taken to recover or to settle penalties have not been biting enough.”
The GRA is now launching further investigations into OMCs suspected of tax evasion through export diversion schemes. Mr. Sarpong stressed that under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the Authority is committed to restoring integrity in Ghana’s revenue systems.
“The authorities will not tolerate any audacity to defraud the state or undermine the integrity of petroleum exports,” he warned. “Illegal oil exportation and tax evasion are acts of economic sabotage, and we will pursue and implement enforcement activities to eliminate them completely
The GRA boss urged all petroleum operators, transporters, and exporters to comply strictly with established tax and export regulations. He said the GRA remains vigilant and will continue to strengthen enforcement and intelligence coordination with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Security to protect national revenue.
“This operation is a strong signal that the Ghana Revenue Authority, together with state agencies, is alert, vigilant, and fully committed to protecting national revenue and supporting Ghana’s economic recovery,” he said.
