The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) will today, Monday, April 13, 2026, embark on a nationwide strike in protest against the government’s implementation of Customs’ Publican AI valuation system at Ghana’s ports.
According to the Group, the system has introduced excessive automated valuation at the ports resulting in sharp increase in the cost of clearing goods, placing significant financial strain on importers.
Traders have lamented that the new system has made operations more difficult, with many struggling to cope with what they term as inflated charges.
Also, the Group says the valuation process lacks transparency and fairness, resulting in arbitrary pricing of imported products.
Dissatisfaction is growing among traders, the Group contends, with many expressing concerns over the unpredictability of charges generated by the AI-driven platform.
In view of the challenges, importers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders have been asked to wear red armbands and participate in the strike across all ports and entry points as part of the protest.
In the meantime, Government has defended the Publican AI system, describing it as a crucial reform to protect national revenue and modernise port operations.
Authorities have pointed to significant discrepancies in trade declarations between 2020 and 2025, when imports valued at about US$127 billion yielded only US$52 billion in declared customs value.
Officials believe the system will help curb practices such as undervaluation and misclassification by relying on data-driven assessments rather than manual processes.
Customs officials have also been directed to base their valuations primarily on outputs generated by the AI platform, with strict instructions not to approve figures below system-generated benchmarks.
The Government has maintained that the rollout followed broad stakeholder consultations and will ultimately enhance efficiency and transparency in trade processes.
Nana Poku, General Secretary of TAGG, had said in a Citi FM interview on Sunday, April 12, 2026, that the strike is intended to draw urgent attention to concerns of traders.
He warned that the group could escalate its actions if authorities fail to review the system and engage stakeholders on the challenges being raised.
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