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Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama was “very upset” after being briefed on the interception of articulated trucks allegedly involved in a transit diversion and revenue evasion scheme at Ghana’s borders.
The development follows a major enforcement operation by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), which intercepted trucks declared as transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu.
The operation reportedly uncovered several breaches, including the movement of goods without the mandatory customs human escort—an infraction that has raised concerns about possible internal complicity.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, Mr. Ampem said the President demanded immediate feedback upon their return from the border.
“When we returned from the border, the President was waiting for us for feedback. He was so upset, and there is no way anybody involved in this is going to be treated with kid gloves,” he stated.
According to the Deputy Minister, government is determined to send a strong signal that customs enforcement officers are entrusted with safeguarding national revenue and protecting Ghana’s borders, and any compromise of that duty will attract sanctions.
“We want to send a very strong signal that our customs officers have the responsibility to ensure revenue and protect our borders. So, they should not be complicit in this,” he stressed.
Mr. Ampem acknowledged, however, that not all officers were implicated in the alleged infractions, noting that some customs personnel played a key role in exposing the irregularities.
“There are good ones who assisted us in this exercise. We want to reward good behaviours of customs officers and punish bad behaviours,” he added.
He further emphasised that ongoing investigations will determine individual culpability as authorities intensify efforts to plug revenue leakages and strengthen border enforcement mechanisms.
