Some traders across the country have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and suspend the newly introduced Publican AI system at the ports, warning that the policy could cripple their businesses due to rising import clearance costs.
Speaking to journalists, an importer disclosed that a container he previously cleared at approximately GH¢64,000 now costs nearly GH¢288,000 under the new system, an increase he described as unbearable for businesses.
Traders operating in major commercial hubs including Kantamanto, Abossey Okai, and Ashaiman also expressed deep concern over the rising cost of imported products.
According to them, sales have already remained slow over the past year despite reductions in the prices of some goods, as many consumers continue to complain about economic hardship and lack of purchasing power.
According to the traders, prices of imported goods have already started increasing significantly, thereby reducing their already narrow profit margins and worsening the burden on consumers.
The Publican AI system, introduced to streamline import clearance procedures at Ghana’s ports, has sparked widespread debate within the shipping and logistics industry.
Authorities have defended the initiative, insisting that it is intended to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and reduce delays in cargo clearance processes.
Despite these assurances, the rollout has faced strong resistance from several stakeholders, particularly freight forwarders and clearing agents, who argue that the system has led to excessive charges and operational difficulties.
As part of their opposition to the policy, freight forwarders and clearing agents embarked on a nationwide industrial action from April 13 to April 17, 2026, after being directed by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations to suspend duty payments and withdraw their services at the ports.
However, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority later announced that GUTA had agreed to suspend the planned full-scale strike following high-level engagements between the parties involved.
Despite the concerns raised by traders and freight forwarders, the Ghana Revenue Authority proceeded with the rollout of the system.
Government, through the Ministry of Finance, subsequently established a committee made up of relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the implementation of the Publican AI system.
However, sources indicate that discussions have slowed due to Ghana’s ongoing final review engagements with the International Monetary Fund.
However, the traders have argued that if businesses struggled to make sales even when prices were reduced, the recent increases linked to the Publican AI system could further worsen the situation and potentially force many traders out of business.
They are therefore calling on President Mahama and the government to urgently review the system before, according to them, it drains their business capital and negatively impacts livelihoods across the country.
