GRA rolls out real-time sales tracking, vows tough action on import fraud

The Ghana Revenue Authority has announced plans to deploy real-time transaction monitoring systems across businesses nationwide and intensify enforcement measures against import fraud, as part of efforts to boost revenue mobilisation.

The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, disclosed in a television interview on Monday, April 14, 2026, that electronic fiscal devices would be installed at business premises to track sales instantly.

Speaking on Channel One TV, he said the system would enable the authority to receive transaction data as they occur.

“Every business will be using a mandatory device that will allow VAT collection,” he said. “That will also give the GRA the opportunity that every transaction taking place in the country, as soon as it takes place, the GRA will see.”

Mr Sarpong explained that the initiative is rooted in the Fiscal and Electronic Devices Act passed in 2018 but not previously enforced, adding that it would now be rolled out as part of ongoing VAT reforms. Under the system, sales data will be transmitted directly to the GRA at the point of transaction.

In a related development, the Commissioner-General revealed that the authority had concluded investigations into a transit cargo fraud case involving goods declared for Niger but suspected to have been diverted into the local market.

He said the GRA had opted to confiscate the goods instead of recovering unpaid taxes, describing the move as a tougher sanction.

“Confiscation is higher than paying the taxes and goes with a higher penalty,” he said, adding that aspects of the case had been referred to the Attorney-General for possible prosecution.

The case has led to the interdiction of five customs officers, while a final decision on sanctions is expected after due process.

“Whether our officers or the importers, we will apply the full rigours of our law to deal with the matter,” he said.

Mr Sarpong acknowledged significant gaps in revenue collection, stating that Ghana currently mobilises only about 40 per cent of its potential VAT revenue.

“We are determined to change that so that VAT becomes a key anchor in our national revenue mobilisation,” he said.

He also cited findings from a five-year internal review, which showed that approximately 83 billion dollars left the country for imports between 2020 and 2025, while only about 31 billion dollars’ worth of goods was recorded as entering Ghana, leaving an estimated revenue gap of over 11 billion dollars.

“Of course, when human beings are looking at tons and volumes of data, it is slow,” he said. “Things could happen because of collusion.”

The Commissioner-General further highlighted the impact of the GRA’s artificial intelligence-driven clearance system, Publican, which became mandatory on March 12, 2026.

He said the system reviews import declarations within minutes and provides information on origin, classification and valuation.

According to him, an internal comparison of customs revenue for the three weeks before and after its introduction showed a significant increase.

“Three weeks before Publican, the average revenue was about 2.4 billion. Three weeks after Publican, we are making 3.6 billion, an increment of 1.2 billion,” he said.

Mr Sarpong noted that the system flags about 25 per cent of declarations for further checks, while the remaining 75 per cent are cleared.

Despite the reported gains, the system has faced resistance from freight forwarders and trade groups, who argue that it undermines standard customs valuation rules by relying on estimated values.

Some groups have initiated legal action seeking details of the contract between the GRA and the firm managing the system, while others have embarked on industrial action at the ports.

Mr Sarpong, however, defended the system, insisting that international rules permit authorities to verify declared values.

“Government must vet and know that indeed what you are saying, you bought it, the price is actually it is,” he said.

On the cost of the system, he declined to provide details, citing confidentiality, but maintained that it had parliamentary approval and was already yielding positive results.

“I can easily tell you that it is way, way, way in terms, that is why government is not even in a hurry to charge anybody,” he said.

He added that the GRA was engaging stakeholders through a technical working team to address concerns and ensure a balanced approach.

“We call the freight forwarders and importers partners in development,” he said. “Whichever way we need to work with them to ensure that their interests are protected and at the same time the state interest is protected, that is the call we are asking them to do.”

Mr Sarpong said the combined measures — including real-time sales tracking, the Publican system and stricter sanctions — are aimed at curbing revenue leakages and strengthening the country’s tax administration.

“The state is losing revenue,” he said. “This system is helping us.”