Accra: The Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) has called on the government to extend the ban on selected transit goods to all land borders, beyond the current enforcement at the Aflao border. In a press release, FABAG emphasized the importance of a nationwide enforcement strategy to prevent the diversion of transit goods to alternate entry points, which could undermine the policy's objectives.
According to Ghana Web, FABAG is urging relevant state agencies, including Customs and border security authorities, to collaborate for strict nationwide enforcement of the directive. The Association highlighted that the continued influx of transit goods through land borders poses significant challenges to legitimate businesses, impacts local manufacturing, and distorts market competition, particularly within the food and beverages sector. FABAG described this intervention as crucial for safeguarding local industries, protecting government revenue, and strengthening regulatory control at the nation's borders.
The Association further commended the efforts made at the Aflao border but stressed the importance of extending the directive to all land borders across the country. FABAG cautioned that a partial restriction could create exploitable loopholes, leading to issues like smuggling, under-declaration, and unfair market practices. The Association stressed the necessity for a nationwide enforcement regime to effectively curb smuggling, prevent illicit trade, and enhance revenue mobilization for national development.
This call to action follows the recent interception of 12 transit trucks by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). These trucks, part of a consignment of 18 vehicles electronically cleared as transit goods, were found moving without the required Customs human escort, which is against Ghana's transit regulations. The trucks, loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti, represent a potential tax exposure exceeding GHS85 million. While 11 trucks are secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal, investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining six trucks that were electronically cleared but not physically accounted for.