{
  "id": 14498673,
  "title": "GRA submits preliminary report on drug shipment case to Mahama – Commissioner-General",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/gra-submits-preliminary-report-on-drug-shipment-case-to-mahama",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T17:26:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/gra-submits-preliminary-report-on-drug-shipment-case-to-mahama-commissioner-general/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has informed President John Dramani Mahama that a preliminary investigation into a recent drug shipment case has been submitted. This case involves containers that departed from Ghana. The GRA is collaborating with security agencies to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident and to assist in tackling the related concerns. Sarpong made this statement while testifying before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, in response to inquiries regarding the negative publicity that drug-related cases might bring to Ghana.\n\nHe described drug trafficking as a serious issue for the GRA and emphasized the need for collective action to prevent the nation from being utilized as a transit point for narcotics. Additionally, Sarpong revealed that the GRA routinely intercepts drugs and apprehends suspected traffickers at Ghana's entry and exit points. However, he clarified that not all such operations are reported publicly to avoid alerting drug traffickers and enabling them to devise new evasion methods. The GRA is actively encouraging taxpayers to utilize available tax reliefs under the law, as many eligible individuals are missing out due to limited awareness. Sarpong informed the committee that the Authority is enhancing public education to ensure taxpayers are aware of the reliefs provided by the Revenue Administration framework and the pertinent tax laws, such as the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896). He also addressed concerns about online cross-border transactions and the imposition of additional percentage charges by certain financial institutions. Sarpong explained that consumers are already paying the requisite 20 percent charge but may not be fully aware of it. The GRA is striving to formalize this arrangement to ensure transparency.",
  "summary": "The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has disclosed that a preliminary investigation report into the recent drug shipment case involving containers that left Ghana has been submitted to President John Dramani Mahama. He said the Authority was also working with the relevant security agencies to establish the full details of […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana Revenue Authority submits preliminary report on drug shipment case to President Mahama",
    "GRA collaborates with security agencies to investigate incident details",
    "Authority encourages taxpayers to utilize available tax reliefs and enhance public education"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "GRA submits preliminary report on drug shipment case to Mahama – Commissioner-General",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/gra-submits-preliminary-report-on-drug-shipment-case-to-mahama-14518824",
        "published": "2026-10-14T19:03:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}