Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson warned Parliament that Tema Port smuggling revenue leakages are jeopardizing Ghana’s 2025 revenue targets. He revealed that a GH¢1.6 billion shortfall in customs collections stems from systemic leakages at key entry points.
Dr. Forson explained during the mid-year budget review on Thursday, July 24, that customs revenue fell by 12.7 percent in the first half of 2025. He attributed this decline to widespread smuggling and undervaluation of imports. He underscored that the shortfall threatens achievement of national revenue benchmarks for 2025.
“Customs revenue recorded a significant shortfall of GH¢1.6 billion … a 12.7% reduction … attributed to the systemic Tema Port smuggling revenue leakages at key customs collection points, particularly the Tema Port, and the smuggling of goods across our land borders,” he explained.
Reform Measures and Revenue Protection Strategy for the Tema Port Smuggling Revenue Leakages
To curb Tema Port smuggling revenue leakages, the minister announced reforms including Artificial Intelligence tools to reduce human interference in customs valuation. He said the AI system will help verify country of origin and classify imports accurately. He added that proper valuation will improve revenue collection.
He disclosed that an anti-smuggling surveillance programme will target both land and maritime borders. Additionally, he stated that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division will undergo institutional review to restructure its operations.
“We will review the institutional setup of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, including staff mobility, to facilitate the decentralisation of Customs operational risk to enhance transparency and accountability of staff,” he stated.
These actions aim to mitigate Tema Port smuggling revenue leakages that are undermining government revenue. The minister emphasised that structural reforms will protect customs integrity. He assured that strategic measures will support revenue targets through 2025.
By leveraging technology and departmental restructuring, the government seeks to strengthen revenue generation to avoid further accidents like the Tema Port smuggling revenue leakages. The focus on transparency, decentralisation, and surveillance marks a proactive shift toward securing fiscal stability and improving import integrity.
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