The General Secretary of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Nana Poku, has expressed disappointment in the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, over the implementation of the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) system at the country’s ports.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, he questioned the technical basis of the system and its reliance on third-party data sources.
“I am very disappointed in the GRA boss. With the level of knowledge I expected from him, I didn’t expect this approach,” he said.
According to him, traders had raised concerns that the system is built on a third-party platform and may not fully reflect Ghana’s trade realities.
“We came to explain that the software is a third-party system and cannot fully serve the country’s needs if it is not properly structured,” he stated.
Nana Poku also argued that data accuracy is critical for the system to function effectively.
“AI without proper data cannot speak. If the data is wrong, the output will also be wrong,” he said.
He further claimed that the system is being operated through an intermediary platform linked to a Canadian company, insisting that Ghana should have stronger control over its own data systems.
“We are saying Ghana should go directly to the original source instead of relying on a middle platform. That is our concern,” he explained.
The TAGG General Secretary stressed that traders are not opposed to reforms but want fairness, transparency, and accountability in the system’s operation.
“What we want is accountability and fairness. Government must move forward with a system that allows traders to work freely and confidently,” he added.
Meanwhile, Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, has defended the system, rejecting claims that it is slowing down trade at the ports.
Responding to concerns, he said the Publican AI system has actually improved efficiency compared to the previous manual processes.
ALSO READ:
