FABAG Praises Govt’s Ban on Transit Goods at Aflao Border, Urges Extension to Other Land Borders
The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has commended the government and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for banning the entry of transit goods for selected products through the Aflao border.
However, FABAG is urging the government to extend the ban to all other land borders to prevent diversion of transit goods to other entry points.
In a press release, FABAG recommended a complete ban on the entry of affected products through land borders, whether for transit or direct consumption, to curb smuggling and promote fair trade.
The association emphasized that a nationwide enforcement regime would protect local industries, promote fair trade, and enhance revenue mobilization.
FABAG’s call comes as Ghana’s manufacturing sector faces significant cost pressures, including high tariffs and regulatory burdens.
The government has been urged to ensure strict enforcement of the directive across all land entry points to achieve the desired economic impact.
Below is the full release from FABAG:
23 February, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
BAN ON SELECTED TRANSIT GOODS THROUGH AFLAO BORDER COMMENDABLE BUT EXTEND TO ALL OTHER LAND BORDERS
The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) warmly commends the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the bold and timely directive banning the entry of transit goods for selected products through the Aflao border.
This decisive intervention is a significant step toward safeguarding local industries, protecting government revenue and strengthening regulatory control at the nation’s borders. For several years, the influx of transit goods through land borders has posed serious challenges to legitimate businesses, undermined local manufacturing, distorted market competition and import ecosystem, particularly within the food and beverages sector , where unregulated inflows of goods have had severe implications for local producers and formal sector operators.
While we commend this important action at the Aflao border, we respectfully urge the Government and the Ghana Revenue Authority to extend this directive to all other land borders across the country without exception. Limiting such enforcement to a single border risks diversion of transit goods to other entry points thereby defeating the policy’s intended objective.
Furthermore, FABAG strongly recommends that the scope of the directive be beyond transit goods to a complete ban on the entry of the affected products through land borders into Ghana, whether for transit or direct consumption. A partial restriction that targets only transit consignment may inadvertently create loopholes that can be exploited, leading to continued smuggling, under-declaration, and unfair market practices.
A nationwide and comprehensive enforcement regime will;
• Protect local industries and jobs
• Promote fair trade and competitive neutrality
• Curb smuggling and illicit trade
• Enhance revenue mobilization for national development
• Strengthen border security and regulatory oversight
Ghana’s manufacturing and formal trading sectors continue to operate under significant cost pressures, including high tariffs, taxes, logistics costs, and regulatory burdens.
Allowing uncontrolled inflows of goods through porous land borders places compliant businesses at a severe disadvantage and threatens the sustainability of domestic production.
FABAG therefore calls on all relevant state agencies, including Customs, border security authorities, and regulatory institutions, to collaborate in ensuring strict enforcement of this directive nationwide. Consistency in policy implementation across all land entry points is critical to achieving the desired economic and regulatory impact.
We reiterate our full support for government’s efforts to sanitize the trading environment and protect the integrity of Ghana’s borders. FABAG remains committed to constructive engagement with policymakers to promote policies that support local industry growth, revenue protection, and national economic resilience.
Signed
FABAG
