Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister for Finance, has said President John Dramani Mahama was very upset following the receipt of news of the GH¢85million goods diversion at Ghana’s borders.
According to Thomas Nyarko Ampem, President Mahama has demanded immediate feedback when they return from the border.
He announced that the Mahama government is determined to send a clear message to those linked to the intercepted trucks declared as transit goods from Akanu and destined for Niger through Kulungugu.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, 2026, Mr Ampem stated, “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”.
“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 said.
He added, “There are good ones who assisted us in this exercise. We want to reward good behaviours of customs officers and punish bad behaviours”.
Also, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has said that Customs Officers fingered in GH¢85million goods diversion will face the necessary action.
The Deputy Finance Minister detailed that formal processes are underway to investigate the alleged diversion of 18 articulated trucks, which were loaded with cooking oil, tomato paste and spaghetti.
According to the Deputy Finance Minister, internal processes have been initiated with queries already issued to the officers, adding that the officers linked to the GH¢85million goods diversion will face actions, including interdiction.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, February 23, Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated, “The Minister gave directives to the Commissioner General of Customs to act immediately. The report I got from the Commissioner General as of last night indicates that they have started their internal processes, and we expect that by the close of today or tomorrow, some disciplinary actions will take place. It is going to happen.
“Queries were issued to the officers who were assigned to escort the trucks out of Ghana, and they are expected to respond by the end of today. After that, the necessary action, including interdiction, will happen. The interdiction will happen.”
The Deputy Minister for Finance comes on the heels of the interception of 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao borders on February 18, 2026.
“On February 18, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), acting through its Customs Division, intercepted the trucks and confirmed that they were carrying assorted consumer goods, including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste”, reports stated.
The information gathered suggests the trucks had reportedly been declared for transit to Niger; however, they were suspected to have been diverted for sale within the local market.
Also, the vehicles were allegedly moving without the mandatory customs human escort, which breaches the established transit procedures.
The shipments are projected to represent potential lost revenue of GH¢85.3 million, with an initial estimation set at GH¢2.62 million.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Finance stated, “Initial suspended duties and taxes were assessed at GH¢2,619,748.81. However, post-interception examinations uncovered material discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications, and weights.”
“These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability, and the suspended revenue exposure has been revised to GH¢85,306,578.33,” the statement said.