GRA Customs Confirms No Formal Ghana Border Trader Complaint Mechanism

• Women cross-border traders in Ghana face harassment, arbitrary charges, and goods confiscation without formal reporting mechanisms.
• The Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division acknowledges the absence of specific formal channels for trader harassment complaints.
• A Joint Action Plan proposes a border-level grievance-redress mechanism and institutionalized representation for informal traders.
• Stakeholders highlighted a gap between Ghana's AfCFTA commitments and the experiences of small-scale traders.
• Government ministries and agencies are tasked with digitalizing border processes, improving infrastructure, and empowering traders.

A critical issue highlighted by stakeholders is the complete absence of formal channels for reporting these abuses at the nation's borders.

Women engaged in cross-border commerce across Ghana continue to encounter significant obstacles, including instances of harassment, the imposition of arbitrary fees, the confiscation of their merchandise, and various security risks. A critical issue highlighted by stakeholders is the complete absence of formal channels for reporting these abuses at the nation's borders. These pressing concerns were brought to the forefront during a recent stakeholder dialogue focused on fostering safe and inclusive trade practices at Ghana's border points.

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), in collaboration with the Ghana National AfCFTA Champions, organized this crucial discussion in Aflao, located in the Volta Region. During the event, female traders representing key border towns such as Elubo, Hamile, Paga, Aflao, and Akanu shared their personal accounts. Their testimonies detailed experiences with undocumented levies, persistent harassment from officials, protracted delays during transit, and the seizure of their goods. Furthermore, they identified a lack of accessible information regarding official border procedures and the absence of structured feedback mechanisms as primary impediments to reporting violations and securing formal trade protections.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division has acknowledged the severity of these challenges. Joseph Mills, a representative from GRA Customs, confirmed that no formal channels are currently in place specifically designed to address harassment faced by traders at the borders. While he indicated that affected traders could lodge complaints at the sector commander's office, this informal route contrasts with the need for dedicated mechanisms. The National Cross-Border Women Traders Association further corroborated the lack of official complaint systems, noting that many traders prefer to report their grievances directly to the association rather than to Customs or Immigration services.

Stakeholders contend that this situation underscores a significant disparity between Ghana's commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the daily realities experienced by small-scale traders, particularly women. Dode Seidu, the National Coordinator for the AfCFTA National Coordination Office, emphasized the necessity of implementing simplified and gender-responsive trade procedures. Seidu also advocated for enhanced coordination among border agencies, improved access to trade-related information, and the establishment of effective complaint channels to bridge this gap. The dialogue also underscored the importance of formally integrating informal traders into national AfCFTA policy discussions, ensuring their concerns directly influence decisions on border governance and trade facilitation.

In response to the identified issues, a Joint Action Plan has been developed by stakeholders. This plan outlines several key initiatives, including the creation of a border-level grievance-redress mechanism. This mechanism aims to provide women traders with secure and accessible avenues for reporting violations. Additionally, the plan proposes an institutionalized platform to ensure informal traders have formal representation within national AfCFTA policy processes, alongside coordinated reforms involving relevant government institutions.

Specific governmental bodies have been assigned responsibilities for implementing these improvements. The Ghana Immigration Service and GRA Customs are tasked with advancing the digitalization of border processes, which includes the introduction of digital travel itineraries and the public dissemination of approved fees. Concurrently, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, in conjunction with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, will lend support to initiatives focused on enhancing border-community infrastructure, delivering gender-responsive training, and empowering traders. The Paramount Chief of Aflao, Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, further called for the establishment of a permanent Aflao Border Stakeholders Committee to foster stronger collaboration among security agencies, traders, and traditional authorities. He also championed the publication and digitalization of all approved border fees and the implementation of effective complaint mechanisms at all border crossings.

Lawyers advising cross-border traders in Ghana should note the current absence of formal complaint channels for harassment and illegal levies at borders. They should monitor the development and implementation of the proposed border-level grievance-redress mechanism and institutionalized representation for informal traders, as these will significantly impact legal recourse and compliance strategies for clients engaged in cross-border trade.

Source: Original reporting via Albert Kuzor