The persistent surge in prices of goods across Ghana has been linked to alleged bribery and corruption within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), according to the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG).
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, TAGG President Daniel Kwadwo Amoanteng revealed that the rising cost of importing goods is no longer solely a matter of official duty charges. Instead, he said, traders are being forced to pay “hidden payments” demanded by some customs officers at the country’s ports. These unofficial charges, Amoanteng stressed, are pushing traders to hike retail prices in order to recover their increased expenses.
Amoanteng noted that many TAGG members have complained of extortion, delays, and unnecessary obstacles during the clearance of goods.
He pointed to a specific case involving Prince Daniels Mensah Odai, the head of the Ashanti Region Task Force, who allegedly intercepted two containers cleared in Accra, accused the importer of undervaluation, and demanded GHS 120,000, eventually settling for GHS 40,000 paid via mobile money and cash. After the incident was reported, the officer reportedly tried to legitimize the payment by depositing it into state coffers.
TAGG has called on the government to take immediate action by cleaning up operations at the ports, increasing oversight, and addressing corruption within the customs service. The group maintains that without such interventions, the cycle of rising import costs and higher consumer prices is likely to continue unabated.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
