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.
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Gunfight Over Cocoa Smuggling
- A gunfight happened between Ghana's army and police over a cocoa smuggling case, exposing internal conflict.
- An army officer was accused but reassigned, and the official investigation was never published.
Cocoa Smugglers' Confession
- Cocoa smugglers openly admitted to bribing customs officials to evade checks and smuggle large quantities.
- They revealed connections to powerful business people and politicians supporting the illicit trade.
Livestock Smuggling with Arms Trade
- Islamist insurgents steal livestock in Burkina Faso and smuggle them into Ghana via local traders.
- This illicit trade also brings arms into Ghana, destabilizing the region.