By Nelson Ayivor
The National Cross Border Women Traders Association (NCBWTA) has raised an urgent alarm, calling on the government to address what it terms “systemic unfairness” in customs operations. The Association warns that practices currently in play threaten to undermine state revenue, disrupt legitimate trade, and jeopardize countless livelihoods.
At a press conference in Accra on November 25, 2025, Oscar Akaba-Norvixoxo, National Coordinator and Trade Consultant for the NCBWTA, highlighted alarming reports from ports and border points. He noted a troubling trend of inconsistent customs valuation procedures alongside arbitrary discretionary charges, which together are rendering the business landscape increasingly unpredictable for traders and disincentivizing compliance.
The NCBWTA has observed a surge in arbitrary customs valuations, sudden reclassifications of goods, and persistent clearance delays all contributing to inflated costs that disproportionately affect local traders.
The Association asserts that such customs practices breach the World Trade Organisation (WTO) guidelines on valuation and contradict Ghana’s objectives for efficient port operations.
“These practices are not merely unfair; they are counterproductive. Government revenue ambitions cannot be achieved by burdening compliant traders with unpredictable and arbitrary charges.
A hostile system drives traders towards informal channels or prompts them to under-declare goods, which ultimately harms state revenues significantly,” the Association cautioned.
Revenue Erosion and Creations of Parallel Markets:
The NCBWTA warns that the prevailing customs policies might inadvertently spur the growth of unregulated entry points, thus undermining the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) efforts to expand the tax base and modernize its operation.
In response to rising costs and uncertainty at ports, many traders are reportedly shifting to land borders where oversight is lax.
Economic analysts have long raised concerns that excessive bureaucratic friction and unpredictable valuation practices foster conditions ripe for smuggling and informal trading, ultimately redirecting vital revenue away from state resources.
The ramifications of these trends are increasingly visible across several trading corridors.
Human Cost and Effects on Local Industries:
Beyond the fiscal implications, the NCBWTA underscored the significant human toll of current customs practices. The vast import ecosystem in Ghana comprising freight forwarders, wholesalers, retailers, brokers, and market traders supports millions of jobs.
Escalating clearance expenses coupled with prolonged delays have left many small enterprises struggling to restock and meet consumer demand.
As a result, the Association notes, essential goods have seen sharp price hikes, exacerbating the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
“When clearance costs double without any rationale, it’s a triple blow: traders, consumers, and the nation all suffer. Job losses are already surfacing within brokerage and distribution networks,” the Association lamented.
Demands for Immediate Government Action:
In light of these challenges, the NCBWTA is calling for immediate government intervention, which includes the following measures: conducting a comprehensive audit of customs valuation processes, establishing clear guidelines to eliminate arbitrary officer discretion, deploying transparent digital systems, engaging with trader groups to address bottlenecks, and instituting sanctions against officials who deviate from established protocols.
While the NCBWTA is committed to working in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and the GRA, it insists that the urgency of the situation necessitates swift and decisive action.
For now, the Association warns that unless the government swiftly addresses the alleged customs distortions at ports, Ghana risks falling short of its revenue objectives, eroding investor confidence, and destabilizing the vital trade networks that underpin its economy.