The Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), together with its Customs Division, will launch a nationwide offensive against smuggling from 2026, aiming to protect local industries, strengthen domestic production, and safeguard government revenue.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show and monitored by The High Street Journal, Dr. Forson explained that the operation will be coordinated primarily by the Preventive Division of Customs, which has the mandate to monitor, intercept, and prevent illegal cross-border trade.
The initiative, he said, reflects a renewed government commitment to tackle a long-standing challenge that has significantly undermined Ghana’s revenue mobilisation and the competitiveness of local businesses.
“Smuggling affects the country in many ways. It leads to significant revenue loss, undermines lawful trade, and distorts market prices, making it difficult for local businesses to survive. We have to find a way to stop it,” he said.
Smuggling has remained a persistent challenge in Ghana, particularly at border posts and ports of entry. The illegal importation of goods, ranging from textiles, electronics, and poultry products to petroleum derivatives has long caused revenue leakages for the state and created unfair competition for local producers.
Analysts estimate that smuggling costs Ghana hundreds of millions of cedis annually in lost taxes and duties.
The GRA has in the past implemented targeted anti-smuggling operations, but officials note that fragmented enforcement and limited surveillance capacity have allowed illicit trade networks to flourish.
The new operation, Dr. Forson said, will be more comprehensive, employing technology, intelligence gathering, and coordinated patrols along major borders, ports, and inland distribution points.
Under the 2026 plan, smugglers will face stricter sanctions. Confiscation and public sale of seized goods will form a central part of the enforcement strategy. Dr. Forson explained that this approach is designed to impose a direct financial loss on smugglers, creating a deterrent effect.
“The best way to deal with it is when you catch them, do not give them their goods. Confiscate and sell. When they lose their capital, the information will spread, and it will stop others from engaging in the same activity,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the survival and growth of local industries depend heavily on curbing the influx of illegal goods, which undercut domestic production and discourage investment.
He added that the operation will also protect jobs, stabilise market prices, and contribute to broader economic stability.
Dr. Forson noted that the initiative will be complemented by public awareness campaigns and closer collaboration with border security agencies, local law enforcement, and private sector stakeholders.
The Finance Ministry expects the crackdown to enhance compliance, increase customs revenue, and build a level playing field for Ghanaian businesses.
“This is not just about enforcement but it is about securing the future of our industries, ensuring fair competition, and protecting revenue that funds national development,” he added.
