The African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) has raised concerns over the rampant smuggling of essential commodities such as sugar and cooking oil into Ghana, particularly through the country’s borders with Togo and Ivory Coast.
The activity, they said was creating unfair market conditions, discouraging investment, collapsing legitimate businesses, and depriving the state of crucial tax revenues for national development.
“As an organization dedicated to promoting a positive image of Africa and fostering economic growth, the Chamber has engaged multiple businesses and investors who have expressed frustration over the impact of unregulated cross-border smuggling.
“Several importers, some of whom are members of the Chamber, have reported that smuggled goods-priced significantly lower due to tax evasion and lack of statutory compliance-are flooding the Ghanaian market, making it impossible for legitimate businesses to compete”.
A statement signed by Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, the Executive Director of ACCP and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said implications of this situation were dire. “The Chamber has worked extensively to attract investors to Ghana, but many have withdrawn their interest after confirming that widespread smuggling will create an unfair playing field for their businesses.
“This development poses a serious risk to job creation and economic stability at a time when Ghana needs to enhance business confidence to drive sustainable growth”. The statement said smuggling was not just a business issue, but a national economic crisis.
“Data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) indicates that the country loses billions of Ghana cedis annually due to smuggling-related tax evasion. In an economy that relies heavily on tax revenue for infrastructure, healthcare, and social services, these losses are deeply concerning and unsustainable”.
The African Chamber of Content Producers urged the government to adopt immediate and coordinated action to prioritize the fight against smuggling by strengthening border security, enforcing trade regulations, and implementing policies that protect legitimate businesses.
It also urged relevant state agencies, such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs Division, Ministry of Trade, and National Security to intensify efforts to identify, disrupt, and prosecute smuggling networks operating through Ghana’s borders.
Given the cross-border nature of this issue, the statement encouraged engagement with ECOWAS, the African Union, and other relevant international trade organizations to develop regional mechanisms that would prevent illicit trade. They also called on the Media and Civil Society Organizations to highlight and drive public discourse to demand solutions.
“Unchecked smuggling does not only threaten business sustainability and investor confidence, it undermines Ghana’s economic integrity, trade policies, and fiscal stability. As Ghana works towards building a strong, transparent, and business-friendly environment, it is imperative that all stakeholders come together to eliminate illicit trade practices that could derail these efforts.
“The African Chamber of Content Producers remains committed to working with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to support policies and initiatives that will curb smuggling and create a fair, competitive business environment”.
Source: GNA
