The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set up a nine-member committee to investigate the disappearance of 28 containers at Tema Port. The committee, led by Commissioner of Customs Aaron Kanor, will probe how the containers, carrying goods such as cyanide, pharmaceuticals, and other items, vanished or turned up empty. The investigation follows a petition by importers and clearing agents who demanded answers over the missing cargo.
The petition, dated September 29, 2026, was submitted by importers and clearing agents, including agents Elvis Kwabena Awuah and Ibrahim Amadou, and importer representatives Amadu Diande and Amadou Djiguba. They cited specific Bill of Lading numbers for consignments that included various goods. The GRA views the allegations as serious, given their potential impact on revenue assurance, port security, and the authority's reputation.
The committee has been given 14 days to establish the veracity of the petition, determine the status and location of the 28 containers, and review data trails in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS). The committee will also investigate whether customs clearance procedures were breached, identify any GRA staff or outside collaborators involved, and quantify revenue losses.
The investigation builds on allegations first reported by Chale News when importers petitioned the GRA after the containers vanished from Tema Port. Some containers were allegedly offloaded into private warehouses near the GHACEM enclave, while others were moved out of the port entirely without the knowledge of their owners. The matter has also been reported to the Tema Regional Police Command, with some arrests already made.
The case raises questions about the security of goods moving through Ghana's busiest port and the reliability of the systems meant to track them. Containers holding hazardous material like cyanide, alongside everyday goods, were reportedly compromised before reaching their rightful owners. This situation could translate into direct financial losses for businesses and potential public safety concerns.
The committee's findings and recommendations, including measures to recover any lost revenue and prevent future breaches, are expected within the 14-day deadline. The GRA has directed all division heads at the Tema Collection to cooperate fully with the probe. The Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) is the electronic platform used to process and track cargo clearance.
The GRA's response to the allegations aims to address concerns about port security and revenue assurance. The authority's reputation and the potential impact on businesses and public safety are also at stake. The committee's investigation will help determine the cause of the missing containers and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key points
- The Ghana Revenue Authority has formed a nine-member committee to investigate the disappearance of 28 containers at Tema Port.
- The committee has been given 14 days to report back to the Commissioner-General with findings and recommendations.
- The investigation aims to address concerns about port security, revenue assurance, and the reliability of the systems meant to track cargo.
