Member of Parliament for Tema Central, Charles Forson, has called on government to urgently engage the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) and other stakeholders over concerns surrounding the Publican AI system at the ports.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he stressed that the concerns raised by GUTA, importers, and freight forwarders must not be ignored.
According to him, effective governance requires consultation with key stakeholders before implementing policies, rather than addressing challenges only after rollout.
He noted that while the Ghana Revenue Authority has indicated that the introduction of the Publican AI system has led to a 46% increase in revenue, there are broader implications that must be considered.
“If GUTA and the traders stop their operations, revenue will fall and Ghana will lose,” he said.
Mr. Forson questioned the sustainability of such gains if importers decide to halt their operations due to dissatisfaction with the system.
He warned that if key players in the import sector withdraw, government revenue could decline, with negative consequences for the economy and citizens.
He therefore urged government to engage all relevant stakeholders and develop a balanced policy that benefits both the state and businesses.
He emphasised that policies resisted by those directly affected often signal deeper issues that must be addressed to avoid long-term economic setbacks.
