The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has constituted a nine-member committee to investigate the alleged disappearance, unauthorised transfer and removal of 28 containers at the Tema Port, amid concerns over possible breaches of customs procedures and revenue losses.
The investigation follows a September 29, 2026 petition submitted by importers and their representatives to the GRA Commissioner-General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, demanding an inquiry into the whereabouts of the affected containers.
The matter has also been reported to the Tema Regional Police Command, with some arrests reportedly made. The suspects were subsequently granted police enquiry bail.
According to the petition, the containers were at various stages of the customs clearance process when some were allegedly found empty, while others were reportedly transferred to private warehouses or removed from the port without the knowledge of their owners.
The consignments were said to contain a variety of goods, including cyanide, condensed milk, sardines, alcoholic beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, black pepper and tomato paste.
Some of the containers were allegedly moved to private warehouses near the GHACEM enclave, while others were reportedly taken out of the port without the importers’ authorisation.
Sarpong has appointed the Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Kanor, as chairman of the fact-finding and investigative committee. The committee brings together senior officials from various divisions of the GRA, including legal, customs operations, post-clearance audit, preventive, investigations and information technology.
Its primary mandate is to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine the current status and whereabouts of all 28 containers.
The committee will examine electronic records on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), including customs declarations, gazetting processes and gate-out records associated with the affected bills of lading.
It will also determine whether established customs procedures were breached and identify any GRA officials or external individuals who may have been involved in the alleged incidents.
Beyond locating the containers, the committee has been tasked with assessing any revenue losses resulting from the alleged irregularities and recommending measures to recover any monies found to be due to the state.
The investigation will also examine allegations of possible cartel activity and claims that the names of senior government or GRA officials may have been invoked in connection with the movement of the containers. The GRA Commissioner-General has directed the committee to begin work immediately and submit its findings within 14 days.
All relevant departments and stakeholders at the Tema Collection have also been instructed to cooperate fully with the investigation.The inquiry is expected to establish whether the 28 containers were unlawfully removed or transferred, determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and identify any individuals or entities found to have breached customs procedures.
About the Author
