The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), through its Customs Division, in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), has intercepted and destroyed a large consignment of unapproved diapers smuggled into the country.
A total of 850 cartons of the Orexi brand diapers were seized during routine cargo inspections and later disposed of at the Korle Lagoon Klert dump site under strict regulatory supervision. Authorities confirmed that the products had entered the country without proper declaration, tax clearance, or product registration.
Customs officials described the seized goods as substandard and a threat to public health and safety. A spokesperson for the GRA emphasized that beyond the health risks, smuggling such goods also constitutes a serious economic offense.
“These acts of illegal importation not only expose citizens to potential harm but also rob the country of much-needed revenue. Funds that should go into healthcare, education, and infrastructure are lost through such evasion tactics,” the official said.
The seizure follows growing global concerns about hygiene-related contraband. In March 2025, China’s CCTV News aired a disturbing investigation into the illegal recycling of used hygiene products like diapers and sanitary pads, which are then exported to developing countries, including Ghana.
To curb the influx of such harmful products, GRA Customs has stepped up surveillance at entry points and inland borders. Officials are also strengthening data sharing with the FDA and national security agencies while imposing tougher sanctions on importers who fail to declare or misrepresent goods. Retailers and distributors are under closer scrutiny, particularly those trading in unregistered brands.
The public is being urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious diaper products, especially those sold at unusually low prices or lacking FDA approval markings.
