President John Dramani Mahama has reportedly expressed outrage over an alleged border transit diversion and revenue evasion scheme said to be depriving the state of millions in much-needed revenue.
Sources close to the presidency indicate that the former President is deeply concerned about claims that some importers and clearing agents are exploiting transit arrangements at Ghana’s borders to divert goods meant for neighbouring countries back into the local market without paying the required duties.
The alleged scheme, according to insiders, involves the manipulation of customs documentation and collusion between unscrupulous officials and traders to bypass proper clearance procedures. The practice, if proven, could significantly undermine government efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and stabilise the economy.
President Mahama is said to have described the development as “unacceptable and criminal,” stressing that any attempt to sabotage the country’s revenue streams must be met with swift and decisive action.
He has reportedly called on relevant state agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority and national security operatives, to conduct thorough investigations and bring any individuals found culpable to justice.
The former President further emphasised the need for stricter monitoring systems at border entry points, enhanced technology-driven tracking of transit goods, and tougher sanctions against offenders to deter future abuses.
The alleged diversion scheme comes at a time when government is intensifying efforts to plug revenue leakages and ensure that all lawful taxes and duties are duly collected.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the public purse and ensuring accountability within state institutions, warning that no one found complicit in revenue evasion would be shielded from the law.
