GRA to Confiscate Intercepted Transit Goods After Probe Uncovers Customs Violations
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has ordered the confiscation of goods from 18 intercepted transit trucks after an investigation uncovered widespread customs violations, including the use of falsified trade documents, false declarations and tariff misclassification.
In a press briefing held yesterday, the Commissioner-General of the GRA Anthony Kwasi Sarpong said the committee conducted a comprehensive re-examination of the goods at the Tema Transit Area after the trucks were intercepted.
The decision follows the completion of an investigation by a committee established by the GRA to examine the consignments intercepted around the Kpone area along the Tema Motorway.
According to the investigation, the committee uncovered several serious irregularities, including the use of falsified trade documents, discrepancies between the declared and actual quantities and descriptions of the goods, incorrect tariff classifications, inconsistencies in the identities of consignees, and evidence of previous suspicious activities associated with the consignments.
Based on these findings, the Commissioner-General announced that the intercepted goods would be confiscated in accordance with the law.
He further disclosed that, under the directive of the Ministry of Finance, the confiscated vegetable oil would be donated to the Ghana School Feeding Programme to support secondary schools across the country.
The Commissioner-General reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding government revenue through robust customs enforcement and enhanced border controls.
He stressed that the GRA would continue to enforce compliance with customs laws and ensure that all stakeholders involved in customs operations uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.
The Authority indicated that the action forms part of ongoing efforts to curb customs fraud, protect legitimate trade and strengthen revenue mobilization for national development.
Deborah Narkie Nartey, ISD
