By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Dec. 18, GNA- The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized large volumes of excisable goods that were found on the market without the mandatory excise tax stamps, following a compliance enforcement exercise in parts of Accra and Tema.
The exercise covered areas including Rawlings Park, the Makola Shopping Mall and a shop in Tema.
Mr Kwabena Apau Awua Anto, Chief Revenue Officer in charge of Excise at the GRA, said there was widespread non-compliance with the excise stamp regime, an indication that taxes and duties on the affected products had not been paid.
Mr Anto briefing the media during Excise
Enforcement exercise said the Authority encountered significant challenges with traders selling excisable products that had no stamps affixed, despite continuous education and sensitisation efforts.
“Everywhere we visited today, we saw non-compliance with the affixation of excise stamps. We picked products from shops in Accra and followed up in Tema, and many of the goods were not compliant,” the official said.
The seized items included fruit juices, soft drinks, spirits and wines, malt drinks, bottled water all of which are required by law to carry excise stamps, whether locally manufactured or imported.
He described the situation as “very alarming”, noting that despite repeated education campaigns in the markets, non-compliance remained high.
“We have been educating traders for a long time, yet we still see these challenges. It tells us that education alone may not be sufficient. We need to intensify enforcement and apply penalties to serve as a deterrent,” Mr Anto said.
The Chief Revenue Officer explained that the ongoing exercise combined sensitisation with enforcement, with the ultimate aim of achieving voluntary compliance among traders and importers.
He advised traders to ensure that excisable products they stock already have the required stamps affixed before purchasing them from suppliers, as non-compliant goods risk being seized during enforcement operations.
He appealed to consumers to support compliance efforts by checking for excise stamps before buying such products.
“It is about revenue for national development, but it is also about consumer health. Before we issue excise stamps, we ensure that products meet regulatory requirements, including Food and Drugs Authority certification. The stamps help protect consumers from unwholesome products,” he said said.
Mr anto encouraged consumers to download the GRA Customs Authenticator app from the Google Play Store to verify the authenticity of excise stamps, identify manufacturers and confirm whether products were approved for consumption.
On the seized goods, he said statutory notices would be issued to the owners, who would be given one month to provide justification why the goods should not be forfeited to the State.
“If they apply to the Commissioner-General with valid reasons, pay the required fines and penalties, the goods may be released and properly stamped,” he explained.
He reiterated that excise stamps remain the primary indication of compliance and proof that all required taxes and duties on excisable goods have been paid.
GNA
Christian Akorlie