Business Daily
Ghana: the real cost of smuggling
Apr 20, 2025
The podcast delves into the hidden world of smuggling across the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. Personal stories reveal the perils and motivations behind the illicit trade of cocoa, fuel, and gold. Corruption among border security forces presents a significant obstacle to stopping these operations. Escalating violence linked to ethnic disputes adds another layer of complexity. Additionally, the impact of high consumption taxes drives citizens toward tax evasion, affecting the economy and small-scale mining.
17:27
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Quick takeaways
- The rampant cross-border smuggling exacerbates Ghana's economic issues, costing the government billions while reflecting widespread corruption in local security forces.
- High taxation and economic conditions push individuals into illegal trade as a means of survival, undermining the formal economy and governance.
Deep dives
The Scale of Cross-Border Smuggling in West Africa
Cross-border smuggling in West Africa, particularly between Ghana and its neighboring countries, is a significant and complex issue. Ghana's porous borders with Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Togo facilitate a wide range of illicit trade, primarily involving consumer goods like cosmetics and food, as well as high-value products such as cocoa and gold. Reports suggest that around $2 billion worth of Ghana’s gold is smuggled out annually, influenced by higher prices in neighboring countries. The dynamics of smuggling are often compounded by corruption within local security forces, where allegations suggest that some officials may be directly involved in aiding smugglers.
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