Customs officers at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port have intercepted an assault rifle, two pistols and 610 rounds of ammunition that were being smuggled into Ghana, concealed among personal effects arriving from the United States.
The weapons and ammunition were discovered at about 5:15 p.m. last Friday (September 25, 2026), when two Customs officers conducting a routine inspection subjected the consignment to further examination.
The firearms, ammunition and related accessories had not been declared to Customs and were being imported under the guise of personal effects.
The seizure has heightened attention on the movement of restricted items through the country’s ports, with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) saying it has stepped up scanning and physical examination of consignments to detect illegal imports.
Speaking to the press on Monday (September 28), the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs at the GRA, Florence Asante, said the interception formed part of intensified examination and scanning of goods at the country’s ports of entry and exit to prevent the illegal importation of prohibited and restricted items.
She explained that the firearms and ammunition were not declared by the importer as part of the contents of the consignment and were only uncovered after a more thorough examination. The seized items, she said, have since been handed over to the Police for further action.
Ms Asante said the development underscored the importance of importers complying with the laws governing restricted and prohibited goods, urging persons importing such items to obtain the appropriate licences and permits and to make full and accurate declarations to Customs.
Ms Asante cautioned importers who accept goods on behalf of other persons to first establish exactly what they are bringing into the country.
She urged importers to ensure that restricted goods have the required permits and are properly declared to Customs, and advised them to exercise due diligence when accepting consignments from third parties so they do not unknowingly become involved in the illegal importation of restricted items.
“Make sure that you have a licence to import those items and make sure you declare them correctly so that you will not fall foul of the law,” she said.
She stressed that ignorance of the contents of a consignment would not necessarily shield them from possible breaches of the law.
Ms Asante said the country’s customs regime specifically classifies arms and ammunition as restricted goods, with a permit required from the Ministry of the Interior for their importation.
The Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), as amended, also provides that firearms and ammunition cannot be imported or exported without the requisite prior authorisation.
