The Joint Business Forum has announced the suspension of its ongoing industrial action following a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority over concerns surrounding the controversial Publican AI system.
The engagement brought together leaders of major trade associations and government officials to address key grievances raised by the trading community.
At the meeting, traders demanded the immediate suspension of the Publican AI system, a return to previous appeal processes for valuation disputes, full disclosure of the system’s operational framework, and clear terms for participation in a proposed multi-party committee.
Following deliberations, government agreed to revert the appeal process to the status quo and ensure that all valuation disputes are resolved within 24 hours. To support this, the appeals committee will be expanded from six to twelve members.
Both parties also agreed to jointly develop terms of reference for a multi-party committee expected to begin work on April 20, 2026.
However, government declined calls to suspend the Publican AI system, urging stakeholders to channel their concerns through the newly proposed committee. It also maintained its position against full public disclosure of the system’s contractual and operational details, offering instead limited access to selected trade leaders for further engagement.
Despite expressing dissatisfaction with some outcomes, the Joint Business Forum described the concessions as a step forward compared to earlier engagements.
In a statement, the group reiterated its firm demand for the suspension of the system to allow for broader stakeholder consultation and transparency.
It stressed that the decision to halt industrial action is temporary, pending the outcome of discussions with the multi-party committee.
The coalition, which includes the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations, Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, and other trade groups, says it remains committed to protecting the fairness and sustainability of Ghana’s trading environment.
