The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Greater Accra Regional Organizer, Anthony Nukpenu, has urged calm over the ongoing controversy surrounding the Publican AI system at Ghana’s ports, calling on stakeholders to engage in dialogue rather than confrontation.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Nukpenu cautioned against what he described as attempts to over-politicise the concerns raised by traders and freight forwarders, insisting that the system is not entirely flawed but requires continuous refinement.
“Let us not play the ostrich. Everything is not right at the ports,” he said, noting that issues such as wrong declaration of goods and undervaluation are often driven by human interference.
He explained that similar systems introduced in the past faced challenges but were eventually manipulated by users, stressing that no digital system is entirely immune to human behaviour.
“When ICUMS came, what happened? At the end of the day, people found ways around it,” he stated.
Mr. Nukpenu urged stakeholders to remain calm and engage constructively with the implementers of the system to address existing gaps.
“All I will urge them is to be calm and sit with them to correct it. When you see issues, suggest productive avenues instead of making threats,” he said.
He further argued that some of the concerns being raised should be properly verified before conclusions are drawn.
“Some of the things are allegations, so subject all documents to strict proof so they can be looked into and corrected,” he added.
According to him, human creativity often makes it difficult to completely block revenue leakages, but systems can still be improved through cooperation.
“When you come to human beings, we are more creative than machines,” he noted.
Mr. Nukpenu also referenced ongoing engagements by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), saying the Commissioner-General has been engaging stakeholders to explain the purpose and expected benefits of the system, while assuring that challenges will be addressed.
He made the comments amid growing tension between government and the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) over the implementation of the Publican AI system.
GUTA President, Clement Boateng, has outlined a series of actions to protest challenges at the ports, particularly concerns about increased duties and inefficiencies linked to the system.
However, following a meeting with the Ghana Shippers Authority led by CEO Prof. Ransford Gyampo, GUTA agreed to suspend some planned actions, although key directives, such as halting payments and suspending clearing operations, remain in force pending further talks with the Transport Minister.
Mr. Nukpenu urged all parties to continue engaging in good faith to ensure the system is improved for both revenue generation and smooth trade operations.
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