President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to strengthen coordinated border enforcement as part of efforts to curb illicit trade activities, protect local industries and stabilise Ghana’s manufacturing sector.
Speaking at the Presidential Dialogue with the Private Sector in Accra on Monday, February 23, 2026, the President expressed concern about illegal trading practices that continue to undermine local production and distort market competition.
“To stem this tide and protect our fledgling manufacturing sector, we will intensify coordinated border enforcement,” he stated.
President Mahama described activities such as smuggling, under-declaration of goods, the circulation of counterfeit products and the rebagging of inferior items as serious threats to the country’s economy.
“Smuggling, under-declaration, counterfeit goods and rebagging of inferior products are not minor infractions. They constitute economic sabotage,” he emphasised.
He announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the problem, including stricter accountability within public institutions and the use of technology to strengthen customs monitoring systems.
“We will treat trade infractions as economic crimes, dismiss and prosecute public officers found culpable, employ technology-driven customs surveillance solutions and rigorously enforce product standards,” the President said.
Beyond tackling illicit trade, President Mahama also reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting agriculture as a key driver of industrialisation.
According to him, strengthening the agricultural sector requires reforms in land administration and stronger protection of natural resources.
“Industrialisation requires secure land tenure and protection of agricultural resources. In this regard, we will accelerate litigation-free industrial land banks, reform land tenure to support commercial contract farming, strengthen action against illegal mining and sand winning, expand irrigation systems, and invest in storage and cold chain infrastructure,” he noted.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who was also present at the engagement, called on businesses to adjust prices to reflect improvements in the economy.
He urged the private sector to share the benefits of the country’s economic recovery with consumers.
“The private sector is the biggest beneficiary of the economic reset under your administration. I want to use this opportunity to also urge the private sector that it is time to give something back to the Ghanaian citizen. Please reduce your prices to reflect the reality,” he said.
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Story by Lawrence Nii Aryee Tetteh | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
