The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced that it has initiated a probe into an alleged corruption scheme involving the diversion of 50 20-foot containers of palm oil valued at GH₵25.8 million.
On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the OSP detailed that the shipment had originally been declared as goods in transit to Burkina Faso.
However, the consignment was unlawfully diverted into the local market in Ghana without the payment of the required duties and taxes.
According to the OSP, preliminary findings point to the involvement of some Customs officers, National Security operatives, and clearing agents with the scheme, causing an estimated loss of GH₵10.5 million in tax revenue to the state.
In a statement issued on X, the OSP wrote, “The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) is investigating suspected corruption involving the diversion of fifty(50 twenty-foot containers of palm oil valued at GHS25.8 million.
The consignment, declared as in transit to Burkina Faso, was unlawfully diverted into the local market without payment of applicable duties and taxes.
The Office has identified the involvement of some Customs officers, National Security operatives, and clearing agents in a corrupt scheme that resulted in an estimated loss of GHS10.5 million in taxes.
The Office commenced the investigation on the back of an intelligence-led operation conducted in November 2025.
As the process continues, the Office remains committed to protecting the public purse and upholding integrity”.
The OSP announcement follows a similar scheme when 18 articulated trucks at the Akanu and Aflao borders on February 18, 2026 was intercepted.
“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.
Meanwhile, President John Mahama has recalled Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan from his position as Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), with immediate effect.
In his place, Aaron Kanor has been appointed as the new Acting Commissioner of the Customs Division.
The decision follows a week of developments, including an attempted smuggling incident at the port. While official details surrounding the recall are yet to be fully disclosed, the move is widely seen as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and ensure accountability within the Customs Division.
The latest action reflects the administration’s commitment to decisive and responsive leadership in addressing issues affecting revenue mobilisation and border control.
See the post below:
— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) February 24, 2026