The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has constituted a nine-member committee to investigate allegations surrounding the unauthorised removal, transfer and disappearance of 28 containers at the Tema Port.
The investigation follows a petition dated September 29, 2026, submitted to the GRA Commissioner-General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, by importers and their representatives seeking an inquiry into the whereabouts of the containers.
According to the petition, the affected containers were at various stages of the customs clearance process but were later allegedly found empty, missing, transferred to private warehouses or removed from the port without the knowledge of their owners.
The petitioners—agents Elvis Kwabena Awuah and Ibrahim Amadou, together with importer representatives Amadu Diande and Amadou Djiguba—cited several Bills of Lading linked to the affected consignments.
The containers were reportedly carrying commodities including cyanide, condensed milk, sardines, alcoholic beverages, textiles, pharmaceuticals, black pepper and tomato paste.
The petition further alleged that some of the consignments had been offloaded at private warehouses near the GHACEM enclave, while others were allegedly moved out of the port without the owners’ authorisation.
The matter has also reportedly been referred to the Tema Regional Police Command, with some arrests made and suspects subsequently granted police enquiry bail.
Nine-member committee
Mr Sarpong described the allegations as serious, citing their potential implications for revenue assurance, port security and the reputation of the GRA.
He has consequently appointed the Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Kanor, as Chairman of the Fact-Finding and Investigative Committee.
Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General, Elsie Appau-Klu, will serve as a member and Secretary to the committee.
The other members are Head of Legal, Freeman Sarbah; Head of Customs Port Operations, Theresa Potakey; Head of Post Clearance Audit (PCA), Alphonse Quainoo; Head of Preventive, Charles Agbeko; Head of P&P, Divine Agbeko; Head of Investigations, EGG, Patrick Intarmah; and ICUMS System Administrator, Gerald Agbetor.
The committee will be assisted by AC DMCE Diana Ayorkor Agbenyega.
Committee given 14-day deadline
The committee has been tasked with establishing the veracity of the allegations contained in the petition and determining the status and whereabouts of all 28 containers.
It is also required to examine data trails in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), including UCL records, gazetting processes and gate-out logs associated with the affected Bills of Lading.
The investigation will further determine whether customs clearance procedures were breached and identify any GRA officials or external collaborators who may have been involved.
The committee is also expected to establish whether the alleged incidents resulted in revenue losses and recommend measures for recovering any outstanding revenue.
As part of its mandate, the committee will examine allegations of possible cartel activity and the alleged misuse of the names of high-ranking officials.
It will also recommend administrative and systems-related measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Mr Sarpong has directed the committee to commence work immediately and submit its report within 14 days of the date of the memorandum.
Heads of relevant divisions, the Tema Collection and other stakeholders have been directed to provide the committee with full cooperation as it conducts the investigation.
