Non-Tariff Barriers

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-543  

NTB Type

Other type: Extortion and delay by Tree Crops Development Authority Officers  

Complaint

The driver was stopped and his documents taken by the officer from the Tree Crops Development Authority. The Officer alleged that the certificate issued by their officer at Akumadan for which the driver had already paid GHs 200.00 had expired, thus forcing the driver to pay another GHs 200.00.  

Status note

The driver was released  

Progress update note

Upon receipt of the report, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) attempted to engage the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) Officer involved in the incident. However, the Officer initially declined to take the telephone from the driver to facilitate communication with GSA. Despite several attempts by GSA to establish contact, the Officer remained uncooperative.

GSA subsequently instructed the driver to hand over the telephone to an Officer of the Forestry Commission who was present at the scene. The Forestry Commission Officer intervened and engaged the TCDA Officer, eventually persuading him to speak with GSA.

During the ensuing conversation, the TCDA Officer alleged that the driver had failed to comply with the instruction to stop. He further alleged that when the driver eventually stopped, the driver threatened to contact someone who would cause problems for the Officer.

GSA subsequently clarified to the TCDA Officer that, following a meeting between the GSA and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the TCDA, it had been agreed that transit cargo would not be subjected to levies or charges by TCDA officials, as such cargo does not fall within the scope of the TCDA’s mandate.

GSA therefore emphasised that, based on the understanding reached with the TCDA management, the transit truck ought not to have been stopped or subjected to any TCDA-related levy in the first instance.

In view of the circumstances, GSA further contacted Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Afriyie, Manager, Office of the Chief Executive Officer (TCDA), briefed him on the incident, and sought his intervention to address the matter and ensure that the Officer concerned was appropriately advised to desist from such conduct in future.

A few minutes following GSA’s intervention, the driver contacted GSA and confirmed that the truck had been released.

The incident underscores the need for continued engagement and clear communication between GSA and relevant regulatory agencies to ensure that transit cargo is not subjected to charges, inspections, or other interventions outside the applicable mandates and agreed procedures, thereby facilitating the smooth movement of transit traffic along Ghana’s corridors.  

Policy or regulatory NTB

No 

Location

Ghana: TCDA Officer Nsawam (Other)  

Reporting Country

Burkina Faso  

Reporting Town

 

Date of incident

2026-09-11  

Status

Resolved  

Date of resolution

2026-09-11  

Product Description

 

Product Originating Country

 

Total value

0  

Date reported

2026-09-11 13:45  

Modified

2026-09-11 13:47