GRA to Roll out Advance Cargo Tracking System to Monitor Inflows
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced plans to introduce an Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system before the end of the year as part of efforts to expand the use of technology in revenue collection and improve compliance at the country’s ports.
The initiative, which mirrors the recently launched Advance Passenger Information (API) system in the aviation sector, will enable the Authority to monitor cargo inflows in real time, ensuring that all dutiable goods entering the country are properly accounted for and the appropriate taxes paid.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, disclosed this at the 2025 Annual International Tax Conference, where he explained that the system will provide customs officers with detailed data on goods before their arrival.
“The President launched at the airport the Integrated Center to manage aviation travels. Within this project is the Advance Passenger Information. So, for example, if you travelled with one bag and you are returning with five, before your flight even takes off, we will know. The same principle will apply at the seaports with the Advance Cargo Information. This will allow us to track shipments, ensure proper disclosure, and guarantee that the rightful taxes are paid,” Mr. Sarpong stated.
The move comes as part of a broader digitalization drive aimed at plugging revenue leakages, enhancing transparency, and strengthening the country’s tax collection system.
Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, speaking on behalf of the sector minister, reiterated government’s support for GRA’s technology-led reforms. He noted that President John Dramani Mahama’s administration is pursuing interconnected interventions to achieve economic stability and long-term growth.
“The government has focused on restoring macroeconomic stability after inheriting an economy that lurched from crisis to crisis. These reforms are expected to underpin the eventual transformation of the economy,” Mr. Ampem said.
President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana, George Ohene Kwatia, also addressed the gathering, stressing that the effectiveness of tax administration depends on fairness, simplicity, and the adoption of modern tools.
“We must design tax systems that are simple, transparent, and fair. We must embrace digital tools that make compliance easier and enforcement smarter. And we must strengthen partnerships between policymakers, administrators, and practitioners to build a tax culture that works for all,” he urged.
With cargo volumes at Ghana’s ports continuing to rise, the rollout of the ACI system is expected to provide a significant boost to revenue mobilization while ensuring greater efficiency in trade facilitation.
