GRA, Coca-Cola Ghana partner to tackle smuggling of foreign products into Ghana

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana have jointly pledged to intensify efforts in the fight against the smuggling of Coca-Cola products into the country, as both institutions raise alarm over the detrimental impact of illicit trade on local industry and revenue generation.

This renewed commitment was announced during a high-level courtesy visit paid today by the Managing Director of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Ghana, Mr. Felix Gomis, to the Commissioner of the Customs Division, Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, and the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong.

During the visit, it was revealed that over $700,000 worth of Coca-Cola products—approximately 150,000 crates—are smuggled from Nigeria into Ghana every month. This, officials say, significantly undermines the competitiveness of local production, threatens jobs, and erodes national tax revenue.

Addressing the issue, Brigadier General Annan emphasized the importance of Coca-Cola as a multinational manufacturer and development partner in Ghana’s economy. He acknowledged the damaging effects of smuggling on legitimate businesses and assured the beverage company of GRA’s readiness to respond.

“We understand the adverse impacts smuggling has on business, undermining fair competition and also affecting sales and revenue,” Brigadier General Annan stated. “But I wish to assure you that the Customs Division views this concern with the utmost seriousness. We are committed to working with you and other stakeholders to devise effective strategies to tackle smuggling... Through collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement strategies, we can significantly reduce this menace.”

Mr. Gomis expressed appreciation for the GRA’s openness to collaboration, describing the visit as an important step in strengthening partnerships that benefit the nation’s economy.

“It is indeed a pleasure to have been received here in such a big audience... Coca-Cola has been in this country for the past 30 years... We continue to believe in investing heavily in the country so that we can sustain employment,” he noted.

He highlighted recent investments including local production of canned beverages that were previously imported. However, he lamented the challenges posed by the smuggling of foreign Coca-Cola products into Ghana and called for immediate action.

“We have no doubt that with the close collaboration that we have had with GRA... this is a big opportunity for us to reinforce our collaboration for the mutual benefit of the country,” Gomis said.

The Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong also reaffirmed the GRA’s commitment to protecting legitimate businesses, emphasizing that Ghana’s broader economic recovery depends heavily on empowering local industries and generating domestic revenue.

“At the end of the day... it is your business growing, your business flourishing, that will generate the necessary taxes... For every revenue that is lost, we are denying a child somewhere in this country an opportunity to go to school, or access good healthcare,” Mr. Sarpong remarked.

He praised Coca-Cola for its longstanding contribution to Ghana’s industrial landscape and encouraged continued collaboration.

“See this visit as the beginning of a collaborative effort... We are committed to work with you, as well as the entire private sector, to make sure that these areas that hinder your goods and businesses are minimized so you can freely perform your business activities in the right way,” he concluded.