The Deputy Finance Minister praises GRA for stopping 12 articulated trucks with about GH85 million in taxes at stake.
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Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister for Finance, praised the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Customs Division for stopping 12 articulated trucks in a significant enforcement operation along the Dawhenya–Tema Road, calling the action a “decisive step in protecting state revenue.”
The Deputy Commissioner of Operations oversaw the operation, which took place between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. with assistance from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the National Security Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce, and enforcement officers from Customs Headquarters and Tema Collection.
The twelve trucks are thought to be a part of a shipment of eighteen articulated trucks that were declared transit goods and electronically gated out of the Customs system.
They were identified as items in transit from Akanu, travelling via Kulungugu to Niger. However, in violation of Ghana’s transit protocols, the trucks were stopped while travelling without the required human escort provided by Customs.
44,055 bundles of spaghetti, tomato paste, and edible frying oil were put onto the vehicles. According to authorities, there are more than GH¢85 million in taxes at risk.
With logistical assistance from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, eleven of the intercepted trucks have been secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal under stringent Customs control.
During the procedure, one truck experienced a mechanical issue, and its contents are being moved to another vehicle in order to protect the commodities.
Although all 18 vehicles were electronically gated out of the system, according to preliminary assessments, only 12 of them have been physically secured. The six unaccounted-for trucks are being tracked and identified through ongoing investigations.
The prompt action shows the government’s determination to stop revenue leaks and transportation diversion, Mr. Ampem added, praising the enforcement team.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify the six outstanding trucks,” he said.
He also said that he has given the Commissioner-General a week to wrap up the investigations.
“I have asked the Commissioner-General to conclude investigations in one week. We are tracking the two Customs officers who were involved,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the seriousness of the situation and the large possible revenue loss.
He continued, “We take these things seriously because they have a serious impact on our revenue.”
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the GRA’s Commissioner-General, issued a warning to companies and traders to strictly adhere to customs regulations.
He cautioned that the Authority would not hold back from enforcing the law’s full force against violators.
The GRA would crack down on any person or company found guilty of acts that deprive the state of much-needed revenue, he said, adding that “We will apply the law of confiscation. The full arms of the law will be applied,
Source: newsthemegh.com
