Government bans land transit of cooking oil to curb revenue leakages

Government has imposed an immediate ban on the land transit of cooking oil through Ghana’s borders, directing that all such consignments must now be channelled strictly through the country’s seaports.

The decision, announced by the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, follows the interception of eighteen articulated trucks that had been declared for transit to Niger but are suspected to be part of a wider diversion arrangement.

Under the new directive, cooking oil destined for landlocked countries will no longer be processed through land border collection points. All shipments must instead pass through Ghana’s seaports, where enhanced valuation systems, electronic tracking mechanisms, cargo scanning facilities and multiple layers of customs controls are in place.

Authorities say the policy shift is designed to plug revenue leakages and prevent abuse of the transit regime. Subsequent checks on the intercepted trucks reportedly uncovered major discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications and cargo weights. Initial estimates placed the potential revenue loss at GH¢2.6 million, but further assessment revised the figure to more than GH¢85 million.

The Finance Minister has also directed the Ghana Revenue Authority to tighten oversight at all land collection points. The measures include intensified cargo tracking, stricter escort procedures and strengthened supervisory controls to prevent further breaches.

Dr Ato Forson has ordered swift disciplinary action against any Customs officers found to have aided or facilitated irregularities. Criminal investigations are also expected to target importers and clearing agents where evidence justifies prosecution.

Officials maintain that beyond safeguarding state revenue, the crackdown is intended to protect local edible oil producers from unfair competition linked to diverted transit goods.

Government has reiterated that it will enforce the law without compromise, including the confiscation and auction of seized consignments where necessary, to ensure that Ghana’s customs framework is not manipulated to the detriment of national development.