Thomas Nyarko Ampem is the Deputy Minister of Finance
Following the interception of 12 transit trucks by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has alleged that some officers within the Customs Division are colluding with importers to defraud the state.
According to him, certain importers deliberately under-declare their goods, resulting in significant revenue losses.
The intercepted consignments are estimated to represent potential lost revenue of GH¢85.3 million, with an initial assessment pegged at GH¢2.62 million.
Speaking on Citi Business News on February 23, 2026, Ampem said, “The customs have been tracking them. I have seen a letter that one of the officers wrote to the Aflao border, not to allow those goods to come in. This means that it is something that has been happening and they have been monitoring it for a while.”
He added, “There are some bad nuts in customs who are aiding importers to defraud the nation. So, when the good ones realised it, they decided to act.”
Ampem stated categorically that the government is determined to clamp down on revenue leakages at the borders, particularly practices involving under-declaration and undervaluation of imports.
He assured that officers found culpable will face the full rigours of the law as part of broader reforms to strengthen customs enforcement and safeguard national revenue.
GRA Customs officials implicated in GH¢82 million tax evasion scheme – Report.
Details of the Interception
The 12 articulated trucks intercepted are part of a consignment of 18 vehicles electronically cleared as transit goods.
The cargo, declared as goods in transit from Akanu and destined for Niger via Kulungugu, was found moving without the mandatory Customs human escort, contrary to Ghana’s transit regulations.
The trucks were loaded with 44,055 packages of edible cooking oil, tomato paste, and spaghetti. Authorities estimate the potential tax exposure linked to the consignment exceeds GH¢85 million.
Eleven of the trucks have since been secured at the GPHA Transit Terminal under strict Customs supervision, with support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. One truck developed a mechanical fault during the operation, and arrangements are being made to transfer its cargo to another vehicle to ensure the goods remain secured.
Preliminary checks revealed that all 18 trucks were electronically cleared from the system, yet only 12 have been physically accounted for.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining six trucks.
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