The Ashanti Business Owners Association (ABOA) says the artificial intelligence (AI) systems used by the GRA for customs valuation and tariff classification at Ghana’s ports poses risks to trade, transparency and the broader economy.
The Association has therefore called on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to suspend the systems.
A press statement by ABOA dated Tuesday, March 31, 2026 urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) and the Ministry of Finance to halt the full-scale rollout of the AI-driven system pending comprehensive stakeholder consultations.
“We respectfully call on the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance to suspend the full-scale deployment of AI-driven valuation and classification systems pending comprehensive stakeholder consultations.
“Address the high import duty cost to ensure full compliance and reduce the tendencies of undervaluation, misclassification, and import duty evasion. Publish clearer guidelines outlining how AI-generated values and classifications are derived,” the statement said in some parts.
Issues such as “significant operational, legal and economic concerns” were raised by ABOA in its release, saying these are concerns that must be addressed before the nationwide deployment of the initiative, while acknowledging the relevance of digital transformation.
Central to its demand is what it describes as a lack of transparency in the AI system, which it says operates largely as a “black box,” making it difficult for importers to understand how values and tariff classifications are determined. According to the association, this undermines due process and threatens fair trade practices.
Also, the system, ABOA noted, could conflict with Ghana’s obligations under international trade agreements, including commitments under the World Trade Organisation framework, which emphasises predictability, advance rulings and expedited clearance processes.
It further raised alarm over reports of arbitrary and inflated valuations, which it says are already increasing import duty costs and placing undue financial pressure on businesses.
“Without clear justification or a standardised appeal mechanism, businesses are left vulnerable to unnecessary financial burdens,” the statement noted.
It added that the apparent over-reliance on automated decision-making reduces human oversight and accountability, despite the complexity of customs procedures that often require professional judgment.
ABOA warned that the cumulative effect of these challenges could erode economic gains by increasing the cost of doing business, distorting pricing structures, and weakening supply chain planning.
The Association, as part of its recommendations, is calling for authorities to provide clear guidelines on how AI-generated values are derived, establish a transparent dispute resolution system, and adopt a hybrid model where AI serves only as a support tool subject to validation by qualified customs officers.
It also proposed piloting the system in controlled environments before any nationwide rollout.
“The integrity of Ghana’s trade ecosystem depends on fairness, predictability and adherence to internationally accepted standards,” the association said, urging authorities to recalibrate the initiative to ensure it facilitates trade rather than creating new barriers.
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