GRA Task Force Under Fire

Extortion Claims Trigger Internal Probe

By The New Republic Investigative Desk

Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has launched a sweeping internal investigation into allegations of extortion against its Ashanti Customs Task Force, following complaints from the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) that officers demanded illicit payments from an importer.

The probe, announced by GRA’s Communication and Public Affairs Department, centres on an incident where task force members intercepted containers en route to Kumasi, citing undervaluation as grounds to extract unauthorised fees. The importer, unwillingly paying up, later decried the actions as “unconscionable,” prompting TAGG to escalate the matter.

Under Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong’s leadership, GRA has pledged a thorough examination, vowing to uncover the full extent of any wrongdoing. “The internal investigation will be comprehensive, and the public will be informed of the outcome once concluded,” the authority stated, emphasising its commitment to staff integrity and operational transparency.

This episode underscores persistent tensions between customs enforcement and the trading community, where aggressive tactics risk eroding trust and deterring business. GRA urged stakeholders to report malpractices via official channels, reinforcing its drive for accountability amid broader efforts to modernise revenue collection.

As the investigation unfolds, eyes will be on whether it leads to reforms or merely procedural slaps on the wrist—critical for maintaining Ghana’s trade facilitation in a competitive regional landscape.