President John Dramani Mahama has warned that smuggling, under-declaration, counterfeit goods, and re-bagging of inferior products are serious threats to Ghana’s manufacturing sector and constitute acts of economic sabotage.
Speaking at the Presidential Dialogue with the Private Sector at Kempinski in Accra on 24th February 2026, President Mahama said the government will step up coordinated border enforcement and treat trade violations as economic crimes.
He also announced that public officers found culpable in facilitating illegal trade will be dismissed and prosecuted.
“These are not minor infractions,” he stressed. “Economic sabotage undermines local businesses, jobs, and national development. We are determined to protect Ghanaian enterprises so they can thrive and grow.”
Government plans to deploy technology-driven customs surveillance solutions and enforce product standards rigorously, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to illegal trade practices.
The President emphasized that protecting local manufacturers is critical to achieving long-term industrial growth and building a competitive economy.
