The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has indicated that the government could consider reducing taxes and duties if ongoing measures to plug revenue leakages prove successful.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, the Asuogyaman MP said that closing loopholes in the tax system and ensuring full compliance would broaden the revenue base and ease the burden on law-abiding taxpayers.
His comments follow the interception of 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao border posts on February 18, 2026. The trucks, reportedly declared in transit to Niger, were carrying assorted goods including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste. They were stopped by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority over suspected irregularities, including moving without the mandatory customs human escort—a serious violation of established transit procedures.
The consignments are estimated to represent potential revenue losses of GH¢85.3 million, though an initial assessment has pegged the shortfall at GH¢2.62 million.
“If we are able to seal these revenue leakages and ensure appropriate taxes are paid, we may get to a point where we may even have to reduce taxes and duties. But for now, the burden is only on the few law-abiding ones,” he said.
Mr. Ampem stressed that the Finance Ministry’s priority is not to overburden compliant businesses and individuals but to ensure that all importers and traders meet their tax obligations.
He added that once compliance improves and revenue leakages are curtailed, the government would have the fiscal space to review existing tax rates, potentially easing the pressure on businesses and households.
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