The Oil Palm Development Association of Ghana (OPDAG) has urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to expand its ongoing investigations into suspected palm oil diversion to include Customs officers believed to have amassed unexplained wealth.
According to OPDAG President Paul Kwabena Amaning, officers who own two or more houses should be scrutinized as part of efforts to uncover possible corruption within the Customs Division. He argued that such investigations could expose networks allegedly facilitating smuggling activities that are undermining local producers and depriving the state of much-needed revenue.
His call follows the OSP’s probe into the suspected diversion of 50 twenty-foot containers of palm oil valued at GH₵25.8 million. The shipment, which was declared as goods in transit to Burkina Faso, is believed to have been illegally redirected into Ghana without the payment of appropriate duties.
Preliminary findings indicate that Customs officials, clearing agents, and other actors may have played roles in the alleged scheme. The suspected diversion is estimated to have cost the state approximately GH₵10.5 million in lost tax revenue.
Mr. Amaning described the smuggling of palm oil as widespread and damaging to Ghana’s domestic palm oil industry. He claimed that a significant portion of edible oil on the local market is illegally imported, creating unfair competition for local producers and threatening investments intended to expand the sector.
He further alleged the existence of organized networks operating at the country’s borders, insisting that stronger enforcement and accountability measures are needed. According to him, probing the assets of certain Customs officers could help determine whether illicit financial gains are linked to the diversion and smuggling of goods.
Meanwhile, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has recently intensified monitoring efforts, intercepting several consignments over documentation irregularities as part of broader attempts to curb revenue losses.
OPDAG maintains that sustained investigations and asset scrutiny will be critical in restoring integrity at the country’s borders and protecting the viability of Ghana’s palm oil industry.