Accra, Ghana — The Government of Ghana has imposed a comprehensive ban on the land transit of cooking oil through the country’s borders, mandating that all such consignments must now be routed exclusively via Ghana’s seaports.
The directive, issued by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, comes in the wake of the interception of 18 articulated trucks reportedly in transit to Niger but suspected to be part of a larger diversion scheme. Authorities said post-inspection revealed significant discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights, with potential revenue losses initially estimated at GH¢2.6 million now revised to over GH¢85 million.
Under the new regulations, cooking oil consignments destined for landlocked countries will no longer be permitted through land border collection points. Instead, they must be processed through seaports equipped with stricter valuation systems, electronic tracking, scanning infrastructure, and layered customs controls.
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The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been tasked with enhanced monitoring and compliance enforcement, including intensified cargo tracking, reinforced escort protocols, and tighter supervisory oversight at all land collection points.
Dr. Forson further instructed that disciplinary and criminal proceedings be pursued against any customs officers, importers, or clearing agents found culpable in prior breaches. Confiscation and auction of impounded goods will also be applied where appropriate.
Officials emphasized that the measures are intended not only to protect state revenue but also to shield local edible oil producers from unfair competition arising from diverted transit goods.
“These actions reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring Ghana’s customs regime is robust, transparent, and not exploited to undermine domestic revenue mobilisation or national development,” the Finance Ministry stated.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
