The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has declared a nationwide strike set for Monday, April 13, in protest against the rollout of the Publican AI customs valuation system at the country’s ports.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM, TAGG General Secretary Nana Poku said the strike is intended to draw urgent attention to the concerns of traders.
According to the group, the introduction of the system has resulted in significantly higher automated valuations, driving up the cost of clearing goods and placing considerable financial pressure on importers. Traders say the new regime has complicated business operations, with many struggling to manage what they describe as inflated charges.
TAGG also argues that the system lacks transparency and fairness, claiming that the valuation process has become unpredictable and, in some cases, arbitrary. The group says concerns are mounting among traders nationwide over the inconsistency of charges generated by the AI-driven platform.
As part of the planned action, importers, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders have been encouraged to wear red armbands and participate in the strike at all ports and entry points.
Meanwhile, government officials have defended the system, describing it as a necessary reform aimed at safeguarding national revenue and modernising port operations. Authorities cite discrepancies in trade declarations between 2020 and 2025, where imports estimated at about US$127 billion generated only US$52 billion in declared customs value.
They argue that the AI system is designed to address issues such as undervaluation and misclassification by relying on data-driven assessments instead of manual processes. Customs officers have also been instructed to rely primarily on valuations generated by the system, with strict directives not to approve figures below its benchmarks.
Government maintains that the implementation followed consultations with stakeholders and will, in the long run, improve efficiency and transparency in trade processes.
TAGG warned that it may escalate its actions if authorities fail to review the system and engage stakeholders on the concerns raised.
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