The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has lauded the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for what it describes as a bold and timely directive banning the entry of transit goods for selected products through the Aflao border.
In a statement signed by its President, Rev. John Awuni, the Association commended the move, noting that the decision would help protect local industries and ensure fair trade practices within the country.
This decisive intervention according to FABAG is a significant step towards safeguarding local industries, protecting government revenue and strengthening regulatory control at the nation’s borders.
The statement added that for several years, the influx of transit goods through land borders has posed serious challenges to legitimate businesses, undermined local manufacturing, distorted market competition and import ecosystem, particularly within the food and beverages sector , where unregulated inflows of goods have had severe implications for local producers and formal sector operators.
While FABAG commended this action at the Aflao border, it urges the Government and the Ghana Revenue Authority to extend this directive to all other land borders across the country without exception.
Limiting such enforcement to a single border risks diversion of transit goods to other entry points thereby defeating the policy’s intended objective.
Furthermore, FABAG strongly recommends that the scope of the directive be beyond transit goods to a complete ban on the entry of the affected products through land borders into Ghana, whether for transit or direct consumption.
A partial restriction that targets only transit consignment may inadvertently create loopholes that can be exploited, leading to continued smuggling, under-declaration, and unfair market practices.
FABAG indicated that a nationwide and comprehensive enforcement regime will protect local industries and jobs, promote fair trade and competitive neutrality, curb smuggling and illicit trade, enhance revenue mobilization for national development, strengthen border security as well as regulatory oversight.
According to FABAG, Ghana’s manufacturing and formal trading sectors continue to operate under significant cost pressures, including high tariffs, taxes, logistics costs, and regulatory burdens. This it says, allows uncontrolled inflows of goods through porous land borders which places compliant businesses at a severe disadvantage and threatens the sustainability of domestic production.
FABAG therefore calls on all relevant state agencies, including Customs, border security authorities, and regulatory institutions, to collaborate in ensuring strict enforcement of this directive nationwide. Consistency in policy implementation across all land entry points is critical to achieving the desired economic and regulatory impact.
The Association reiterated it’s full support for government’s efforts to sanitize the trading environment and protect the integrity of Ghana’s borders. According to FABAG, it remains committed to constructive engagement with policymakers to promote policies that support local industry growth, revenue protection, and national economic resilience.
