The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) says the surge in smuggling of rice and sugar has evolved beyond an economic problem and is now threatening national security and public health.
According to the association, large quantities of unregulated food products are entering the country through illegal routes—particularly Aflao and Elubo—without the necessary safety checks, tax documentation, or quality controls. This, FABAG warns, puts consumers at risk as authorities cannot guarantee the standards of the smuggled products being sold on the market.
In a strongly worded letter to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), FABAG said the influx of illegal food imports undermines the nation’s security architecture, allowing smuggling cartels to operate freely and weaken state oversight of what citizens consume.
“When food enters the country without inspection or certification, it becomes a serious public health concern,” the association noted. “Ghana cannot sacrifice consumer safety because criminal networks find it profitable to avoid taxes.”
FABAG says the porous borders have emboldened syndicates who exploit Ghana’s relatively higher import duties, choosing instead to route goods through neighbouring countries with lower rates before smuggling them across.
The association argues that this situation not only deprives the state of millions in revenue but also creates a shadow distribution network operating outside the reach of food regulators, customs officers, and national security agencies.
To reverse the trend, FABAG has proposed an aggressive national response that includes:
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a specialised anti-smuggling task force led by GRA Customs
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digital surveillance and monitoring of border corridors
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transparent reporting on enforcement operations
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stronger coordination between the Ministry of Trade, national security agencies, and border patrol units
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and a review of tax policies to discourage smuggling incentives
The association further warned that if illicit imports continue unchecked, the consequences could be severe—ranging from contaminated food in the market to the collapse of local rice production.
Rev. John Awuni, FABAG’s Chairman, said the association remains ready to partner government in safeguarding Ghana’s food supply chain. But he stressed that decisive, coordinated action is urgently needed.
“Food smuggling is not just a business issue. It is a national security issue. It is a consumer safety issue. And it is a threat to Ghana’s future,” he said.
