Tema Frright Forwarders Urge Government To Review Land Transit Ban Over Fears Of Revenue Loss And Trade Divesion.

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders(GIFF) in Tema has called on government to reconsider its recent decision to impose an immediate ban on the land transit of cooking oil, warning that the directive could divert Sahel-bound cargo to neighbouring countries and erode Ghana’s trade competitiveness.

Government, through the Ministry of Finance, ordered that all cooking oil consignments be routed exclusively through the country’s seaports, effectively suspending their movement via land borders.

The directive follows the interception of 12 articulated trucks believed to be part of an 18-truck convoy on the Dawhenya–Tema road for allegedly bypassing laid down customs procedures.

Addressing a press conference in response to the development, the freight forwarders cautioned that broad restrictions, if not carefully calibrated, risk penalising compliant operators and creating uncertainty within Ghana’s transit trade regime.

General Secretary of GIFF, Paul Kobina Mensah, stressed that transit trade remains a significant source of government revenue at the port.

He warned that a prolonged ban could compel our African traders to redirect goods to other neighbouring countries.

President of GIFF, Stephen Adjokatcher, described the intercepted consignment as a legitimate transaction, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

He maintained that the policy could result in substantial revenue losses and urged government to review the decision.

Adding his voice, the immediate past President of GIFF, Edward Akrong, emphasised the potential implications for Ghana’s trade relations with Sahel countries, reiterating calls for restraint and stakeholder engagement before enforcing such measures.

REPORT AHIABOR AUGUSTINE.