Face-off with smugglers: Alfred Agyemang-Badu reflects on his Customs career
In the line of duty at Tamale in the Northern Region, Alfred Agyemang-Badu, then an officer of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), found himself face to face with a life-threatening situation.
Together with three other officers, he had spotted a large truck stuck in the bush and went to investigate, only to discover it was loaded with smuggled goods on which no taxes had been paid.
Suddenly, the officers found themselves surrounded by more than 200 men wielding machetes and threatening them with violence if they did not leave the area immediately.
Recounting the incident to The Mirror in Accra last Tuesday, Mr Agyemang-Badu, also known as Nana Kwame Agyemang-Badu, said, although terrified, he had to remain calm as the leader of the team.
He said he quickly contacted the sector commander, who mobilised reinforcement from Kamina Barracks.
For about an hour, while waiting for the reinforcement team to arrive, Mr Agyemang-Badu engaged the angry crowd in dialogue to buy time.
He said he negotiated with them, proposing that half of the goods be released while the rest would be seized.
“Some of them agreed, but others became more incensed, demanding either all the goods or our lives,” he recalled.
Mr Agyemang-Badu said he continued employing delay tactics until the reinforcement team finally arrived and the goods were seized.
Dangerous assignments
Mr Agyemang-Badu, who served for 34 years in the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), officially retired on May 17 this year.
Reflecting on his years in service, he said threats and intimidation were common experiences for officers enforcing the law and collecting revenue.
“We were generally perceived by some as bad people, but once I knew I was doing the right thing, those threats did not stop me. I was trained and well prepared for the job,” he said.
He also recalled an incident in 2015 while working at the General Post Office/Parcel Post point in Accra, where he intercepted a weapon concealed in a package without documentation.
“Weapons can only be brought into the country after obtaining a licence from the Ministry of the Interior. If there is proper documentation, there will be no need to conceal it in such a manner,” he explained.
Fighting revenue loss
The retired officer said it was common for some importers to falsely declare goods in an attempt to evade taxes.
“For instance, some importers may declare toiletries, but during inspection, wax prints and canned mackerel may be discovered hidden underneath.
They do this to pay less tax, but when caught, they are made to pay penalties,” he explained.
He narrated how he helped prevent significant revenue loss to the state during his time at the Tema Container Terminal between 2009 and 2012.
Mr Agyemang-Badu said one of his proudest achievements was helping to maximise revenue through the raising of “short collections”, where importers who under-declare goods were made to pay the right duties with penalties.
“Instead of declaring 20 bottles, for example, they may declare only four,” he said, adding that his efforts earned him several awards and recognitions.
Journey through the ranks
After training at the Customs Excise and Preventive Service Academy, now the Customs Academy at Kpetoe in the Volta Region, in 1993, Mr Agyemang-Badu was first posted to Koforidua Collection in the Eastern Region.
There, he worked at Nkawkaw, the Nsutam checkpoint near Bunso and the Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited (GOPDC) at Kwae.
In 2000, he was transferred to the Tamale Collection, where he served until 2003, before moving to the Tema Collection in 2004.
He later became Head of Preventive in Kumasi and subsequently served as Head of the Auction Unit at the headquarters in Accra.
In the latter part of 2025, he was posted again to Tema, where he became Head of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Terminal II until his retirement.
Over the years, he upgraded himself through several local and international training programmes, including courses in the United Kingdom, China and the United States of America.
Asked about his shortcomings in life, he said, “I think I trusted certain people more than I should, and they took advantage of me. But that’s okay.”
Tributes and community work
One of his former bosses, Assistant Commissioner Edmund Augustine Omari, described him as “a fine and honest gentleman who did, to the best of his ability, any task assigned him”.
Feyiasehene, Nana Addae Gyamera, who said he had known Mr Agyemang-Badu for eight years, described him as a loyal person, adding that he “is kind, warm and continues to touch many lives both at home and in his professional circles”.
“His dedication to the people he loves is truly worthy of emulation. As he marks this important milestone, I pray that this new chapter of life brings him good health, immense joy, peace of mind, and abundant blessings,” he added.
Beyond Customs work, Mr Agyemang-Badu is a co-founder of the Awo Bio Foundation, which supports development projects at the Ofoase Senior High Technical School in the Ashanti Region.
According to the Headmistress of the school, Madam Juliet Agyemang Duah, he donated printers, a photocopier and 12 fans to improve teaching and learning conditions.
She added that he also sponsored painting works in parts of the school and was mobilising support to provide computers for ICT lessons.
Life after retirement
Mr Agyemang-Badu is also a patron of the Adehye Fan Club in Koforidua, which supports the underprivileged through donations to orphanages.
The Head Pastor of the Ofoase Presbyterian Church, Reverend Carl Atta Barnor, described him as an active and committed church member who consistently supported the church through donations and fundraising activities.
Now retired, Mr Agyemang-Badu says he intends to dedicate more time to serving the community and charitable causes while enjoying a quieter life after decades of public service.
He advised the youth to remain humble and willing to learn if they wanted to make an impact in life.
Mr Agyemang-Badu attended New Edubiase Secondary School before pursuing his sixth-form studies at Accra Academy.
He later studied Economics at Presbyterian University.
He is married with six children — five daughters and a son.
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