The government has announced a ban on the land transit of several key food commodities, including rice, canned tomato paste and mackerel, as part of measures to curb diversion schemes and protect Ghana’s growing domestic manufacturing sector.
President John Dramani Mahama disclosed the policy while commissioning the new pasta manufacturing facility of Olam Agri in Ghana, describing the directive as part of broader efforts to tighten customs enforcement and reduce the country’s reliance on imported processed foods.
According to the President, authorities have recently intensified enforcement actions against illegal shipments of sensitive commodities.
“The government has recently restricted imports of certain commodities following enforcement actions involving illegal shipments including vegetable cooking oil, rice, tomato paste, mackerel, and related products.” - President John Dramani Mahama
Crackdown on Transit Diversion Schemes
The policy follows growing concerns within government over goods declared as transit cargo but allegedly diverted into Ghana’s domestic market without proper customs clearance.
Officials say such practices undermine customs revenue and place unfair pressure on local manufacturers competing against imported products that bypass regulatory procedures.
The issue gained national attention in February 2026 after Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson ordered a full investigation into a suspected diversion scheme involving 18 articulated trucks intercepted at the Akanu and Aflao border posts.
Authorities indicated that the trucks had been declared as transit cargo destined for Niger but were allegedly operating without the mandatory customs escorts required under Ghana’s transit trade regulations.
The incident exposed potential gaps in the monitoring of transit goods and raised concerns among policymakers about revenue losses and the impact on domestic industries.
Government sources say the new restrictions are intended to prevent similar abuses by placing sensitive commodities under tighter transit controls.
Policy Linked to Industrialisation Agenda
President Mahama linked the decision to Ghana’s broader industrial transformation agenda, stressing that strengthening domestic production is essential for long-term economic stability.
“Facilities like this represent a deliberate shift – from reliance to production, from lost opportunities to targeted industrial growth,” he said during the commissioning ceremony.
The President noted that Ghana’s high food import bill has historically placed pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves and contributed to fluctuations in the local currency.
“Food production directly affects household budgets, market prices and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
“When production happens outside Ghana, the economic burden is ultimately borne at home.” - President John Dramani Mahama
He argued that expanding local processing industries could help retain value within the economy while creating jobs across agricultural and industrial supply chains.
Olam Agri Plant and 24-Hour Economy
The newly commissioned pasta plant forms part of government efforts to encourage value addition within the food manufacturing sector.
Operating on a shift-based production system, the facility qualifies under the government’s flagship 24-hour economy initiative designed to support industries capable of running continuous operations.
Parliament has already passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, which will provide incentives for participating companies, including duty-free importation of expansion equipment.
President Mahama encouraged Olam Agri to take advantage of the programme to expand production capacity and deepen Ghana’s food manufacturing ecosystem.
Localising Raw Material Supply
The government is also exploring opportunities to integrate locally produced raw materials into food manufacturing.
According to the President, scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research have developed a wheat variety capable of thriving under Ghanaian conditions.
Trial production has reportedly achieved yields of five to six tonnes per hectare, raising prospects for domestic wheat cultivation to support food processing industries.
President Mahama urged collaboration between Olam Agri and local researchers to incorporate locally grown wheat into the company’s pasta production value chain.
Such partnerships, he said, could create direct market opportunities for farmers while strengthening Ghana’s food manufacturing ecosystem.
Stronger Border Enforcement Planned
Authorities say the ban on land transit of selected food commodities will be accompanied by intensified enforcement at border posts, including stricter verification of transit cargo and mandatory customs escort procedures.
Officials have also warned that additional commodities could face tighter transit controls if diversion schemes persist.
Government believes the combined strategy of strengthening customs enforcement while expanding domestic manufacturing will help safeguard investment, boost local production and maintain the integrity of Ghana’s trade system.
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