Ghana Moves to Boost Revenue, Protect Local Industries with Transit Goods Ban
The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has praised the Ministry of Finance for banning the movement of selected transit goods into Ghana by land, requiring them to enter the country through seaports instead.
The directive, affecting goods like rice, sugar, flour, textiles, spaghetti, and tomato paste, aims to curb smuggling, revenue losses, and misclassification of goods.
Speaking on behalf of FABAG, President Rev. John Awuni said the policy demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening trade regulation, safeguarding revenue, and protecting legitimate businesses.
“For a long time, Ghana has lost substantial revenue due to the widespread abuse of the transit regime,” Rev. Awuni said. “Unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of the system, declaring goods for neighboring countries but diverting them to Ghana without paying duties and taxes.”
The move is expected to improve monitoring and inspection, reducing the risk of diversion and smuggling. FABAG is urging relevant authorities, including the Ghana Revenue Authority and Customs Division, to ensure strict enforcement.
FABAG also suggests expanding the list of restricted goods to include fruit juices and other products, to prevent traders from misclassifying them to evade controls.
“The directive by the Minister for Finance is an important step toward restoring discipline, transparency, and accountability within Ghana’s trade and customs systems,” Rev. Awuni said.
FABAG commends Minister Dr. Forson for the bold move and calls for sustained vigilance and enforcement to ensure the policy delivers its full benefits to the Ghanaian economy.
