GRA Probes Disappearance of 28 Containers at Tema Port
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set up a nine-member investigative committee to probe 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 Commissioner-General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, by importers and their representatives seeking clarification on the whereabouts of the consignments.
According to MyJoyOnline, the petition alleged that some containers were found empty, others had gone missing, while some were transferred to private warehouses or removed from the port without the owners’ knowledge.
The committee, chaired by the Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Kanor, has been mandated to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and determine the status of the 28 containers.
Its terms of reference include reviewing records from Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), including cargo documentation, customs processing records and gate-out logs.
Investigators will also examine whether customs procedures were breached, establish whether the alleged incidents resulted in revenue losses and identify any individuals or external parties who may have been involved if wrongdoing is established.
The committee has been given 14 days from the date of the relevant directive to submit its report.
The petition reportedly listed consignments containing condensed milk, sardines, textiles, pharmaceuticals, black pepper and tomato paste, among other commodities.
Tema Port is a major gateway for imported goods destined for Ghanaian businesses and consumers. Its customs clearance, cargo handling and documentation processes play a critical role in the movement of goods and the cost of international trade.
The investigation could have implications for port security, revenue collection and confidence in Ghana’s customs clearance system, depending on its findings.
Importers rely on accurate cargo records and secure handling arrangements to manage inventories, fulfil customer orders and avoid additional costs, including storage fees and demurrage charges arising from delays.
The disappearance or unauthorised movement of consignments, if established, could disrupt supply chains and expose weaknesses in cargo monitoring and accountability procedures.
The review of ICUMS records, customs documentation and gate-out logs is expected to help investigators reconstruct the movement of the affected containers and establish whether the relevant procedures were followed.
Businesses importing goods through Tema Port should maintain copies of bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, customs declarations and payment receipts. They should also obtain written updates from their clearing agents and retain records of cargo movements, customs payments and delivery arrangements.
The committee’s findings are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the 28 containers and determine whether further action is warranted.
However, the allegations remain under investigation, and no individual or organisation should be presumed guilty of wrongdoing before the facts are established.
