Benjamin Yeboah, the Director of Welfare for the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), has called for further stakeholder engagement on the Publican AI customs valuation system being implemented at Ghana’s ports.
He noted that importers are already burdened with multiple tax components, including levies, and argued that the introduction of the new system has led to increased valuations and higher import duties on goods.
Mr. Yeboah made these remarks during an interview on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM in Accra, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu.
He acknowledged that the business community has recently benefited from the relative stability of the dollar, which has supported smoother import and export activities. However, he stressed that the new valuation system threatens these gains.
Meanwhile, the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has announced a nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, April 13, in protest against the implementation of the Publican AI customs valuation system at the country’s ports.
According to the group, the system has introduced excessive automated valuations, significantly increasing the cost of clearing goods and placing a heavy financial burden on importers.
Traders say the new approach has made business operations more difficult, with many struggling to cope with what they describe as inflated charges. TAGG also argues that the valuation process lacks transparency and fairness, leading to arbitrary pricing of imported goods.
The group further noted growing dissatisfaction among traders nationwide, citing concerns over the unpredictability of charges generated by the AI-driven platform.
As part of the protest, importers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders have been urged to wear red armbands and participate in the strike across all ports and entry points.
However, the government has defended the Publican AI system, describing it as a critical reform aimed at protecting national revenue and modernising port operations.
Officials have pointed to significant discrepancies in trade declarations between 2020 and 2025, during which imports valued at approximately US$127 billion resulted in only US$52 billion in declared customs value.
Authorities believe the AI system will help curb practices such as undervaluation and misclassification by relying on data-driven assessments rather than manual processes.
Customs officials have also been instructed to base their valuations primarily on outputs generated by the AI platform, with strict directives not to approve figures below system-generated benchmarks.
The government maintains that the rollout followed extensive stakeholder consultations and will ultimately enhance efficiency and transparency in trade processes.
TAGG General Secretary, Nana Poku, in an interview with Citi FM on Sunday, said the strike is intended to draw urgent attention to the concerns of traders. He warned that the group could escalate its actions if authorities fail to review the system and engage stakeholders.
In a related development, freight forwarders and clearing agents have been directed to suspend payment of duties and withdraw their services from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026, as part of a nationwide industrial action declared by GUTA.
In a press statement signed by its President, Clement Boateng, on Sunday, April 12, 2026, GUTA explained that the decision follows unsuccessful engagements with the government over disruptions linked to the implementation of the Publican AI system at the country’s ports.
The association stated that traders continue to face significant operational challenges despite ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the issues.
GUTA cited key concerns including “unpredictable and excessively high duty assessments, prolonged delays in cargo clearance, mounting demurrage and rent charges, and the near absence of an effective and accessible system for resolving valuation disputes.”
“These conditions have created an unsustainable trading environment and pose a serious threat to business continuity,” the statement said.
In addition to the strike directive, GUTA advised its members to temporarily halt all import activities until clarity and predictability are restored within the system.
The association also called for the immediate suspension of the Publican AI system in its current form and urged authorities to undertake a comprehensive review of its implementation.
“We urge the Government to act decisively to restore confidence, stability, and fairness within Ghana’s trade regime,” the statement added.
The planned industrial action is expected to disrupt port operations if widely observed, as traders intensify pressure on authorities to review the system.
