The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced an ongoing investigation into a suspected corruption scheme involving the diversion of 50 twenty-foot containers of palm oil, valued at GHS25.8 million.
In a press release issued today, February 24, the Office disclosed that the shipment had been declared as goods in transit to Burkina Faso. Still, it was instead diverted into Ghana’s local market without the payment of the required duties and taxes.
According to the statement, “the consignment, declared as in transit to Burkina Faso, was unlawfully diverted into the local market without payment of applicable duties and taxes.”
The OSP indicated that preliminary investigations have uncovered the involvement of some Customs officers, National Security operatives, and clearing agents. The alleged scheme is believed to have cost the state an estimated GHS10.5 million in tax revenue.
“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 release noted.
The investigation was triggered by an intelligence-led operation conducted in November 2025, which exposed irregularities surrounding the shipment’s transit declaration and eventual diversion.
Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the Office stressed that it remains focused on safeguarding public funds and ensuring that those responsible are held to account. “As the process continues, the Office remains committed to protecting the public purse and upholding integrity,” the statement concluded
(Background story)
The directive follows the interception of 18 articulated trucks suspected of involvement in a transit diversion scheme at the Akanu and Aflao border posts.
On February 18, 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), through its Customs Division, intercepted the trucks carrying assorted goods, including cooking oil, spaghetti, and tomato paste, declared for transit to Niger.
The consignment was declared to be 44,055 packages weighing 879,860 kilogrammes.
The operation, conducted between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., was led by the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, with support from the Chief Revenue Officer, Preventive (Tema Collection), the Revenue Mobilisation Taskforce of National Security, and enforcement officers from both the Tema Collection and Customs Headquarters.
Investigations and field intelligence revealed that the trucks were moving without the mandatory Customs Human Escorts required for transit consignments.
The vehicles had earlier been cleared from the Akanu Border Post for transit through the Eastern Corridor, with exit at Kulungugu en route to Niger under Bill of Entry (BOE) Number 8022612125039
Twelve of the 18 trucks have since been impounded, with 11 currently secured at the Tema Transit Yard for detailed inspection, investigations and further legal action.
One truck overturned while attempting to evade interception, spilling its cargo, while the remaining six are being actively pursued.
Initial suspended duties and taxes were estimated at GH¢2,619,748.81.
However, post-interception examinations revealed discrepancies in declared unit values, tariff classifications and weights
These irregularities significantly understated the tax liability and have revised the suspended revenue exposure to GH¢85,306,578.33.
Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, directed the GRA to conduct comprehensive investigations and initiate disciplinary action against any Customs officers found culpable. He later placed a ban on land transit of cooking oil after GRA truck in suspected of diversion.
Criminal investigations would also be extended to importers and clearing agents where evidence supports prosecution.
