A group of importers in Ghana has petitioned the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to investigate the alleged unauthorized removal, transfer, and diversion of 28 containers from the Tema Port. The petition, dated September 29, 2026, was addressed to the Commissioner-General of the GRA. The importers claim that the affected containers were at different stages of the clearance process when they were allegedly discovered to have been emptied, moved, transferred, or reported missing.
The petition lists the affected containers by their respective bill of lading numbers and urges the GRA to conduct an urgent and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and movement. The importers expressed concerns about the possible unauthorized removal and diversion of containers from the port while they were still undergoing clearance procedures. They also reported the matter to the Tema Regional Police Command.
The police have since arrested some individuals allegedly connected to the incident. The concerns came to light after some owners reportedly discovered that goods from one of the containers were being offloaded into a warehouse in the vicinity of the GHACEM area in Tema. The importers have called on the GRA to establish how the containers were removed or transferred and determine the circumstances under which the goods were handled.
According to the petitioners, the development raised concerns about the security and integrity of the clearance process at the Tema Port. They have therefore expressed their readiness to cooperate with the GRA, the police, and other relevant authorities to facilitate investigations into the matter. A detailed list of the 28 containers, including their bill of lading numbers and the status of each container, was attached to the petition.
The GRA has not publicly commented on the matter, but the authority is expected to investigate the allegations and provide a response to the petition. The incident has raised questions about the effectiveness of the security measures in place at the Tema Port to prevent such incidents. The port is a major hub for trade in Ghana and the region.
The alleged diversion of the containers has also raised concerns about the potential revenue losses to the government. The GRA is responsible for collecting taxes and duties on imports, and the unauthorized removal of containers could result in lost revenue. The authority is expected to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
The importers have urged the GRA to take immediate action to investigate the matter and prevent similar incidents in the future. The authority is expected to provide an update on the investigation and any actions taken to address the concerns raised by the importers.
Key points
- The petitioners have called for an urgent investigation into the alleged diversion of 28 containers from the Tema Port.
- The Tema Regional Police Command has arrested some individuals allegedly connected to the incident.
- The GRA is expected to investigate the allegations and provide a response to the petition.
