The Executive Director of the Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CCF Ghana), Richard Kasu, says the appointment of Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan (Rtd) as Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Customs Division is key in addressing the country’s growing illicit trade challenge, which continues to drain national coffers and erode public trust.
According to Kasu, the new Commissioner brings the discipline and vision required to reverse a troubling trend that has seen significant state revenue losses due to smuggling and related activities.
In a statement issued and signed by CFF Ghana, the think tank acknowledged that the retired military officer steps into the role with a clear mandate, to clamp down on illicit trade and help safeguard the nation’s fragile economic recovery.
Mr. Kasu stressed that Brig. Gen. Annan’s appointment is more than a routine leadership change. It reflects heightened national concern over the economic toll of cross-border crimes, including cocoa and gold smuggling, and the circulation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and tobacco products. These illicit flows, often underestimated, not only deplete government revenues but also destabilize legitimate business operations.
A career military officer known for discipline and strategic clarity, Brig. Gen. Annan is no stranger to high-stakes leadership. Though retired from active service, his return to public duty signals the government’s renewed commitment to tackling entrenched challenges within the Customs Division.
Sources close to the Presidency describe him as “principled and patriotic,” with the credibility and capacity to reform a system long accused of lax enforcement and operational inefficiencies.
The challenges ahead are significant. The country’s porous borders and well-organized smuggling networks have long impeded effective trade monitoring and tariff collection. These clandestine activities have real-world consequences: lost public revenue, risks to public health, and unfair competition for local industries.
Brig. Gen. Annan (Rtd) succeeds Brig. Gen. Ziblim Ayorrogo, under whose leadership the Customs Division recorded a historic revenue performance of GH¢152.977 billion, exceeding the 2024 fiscal target. While his predecessor leaves behind a strong financial record, many insiders note that critical enforcement and institutional reforms remain incomplete.
Mr. Kasu observed that in Ghana’s industrial zones and trading hubs, expectations are high that the new Commissioner will curb the unfair competition posed by smuggled goods and restore market integrity.
He further argued that the issue is not only about lost revenue, but also about governance. “Illicit trade thrives where institutions are weak. Brigadier General Annan’s job is not just to catch smugglers, it’s to rebuild trust in the Customs system,” he said.
