Coalition of traders and agents demand urgent review of AI-driven valuation system

A coalition of traders and agents, led by the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), has called on the government to urgently review recent policy directives affecting transit trade, customs valuation, and port operations. The coalition warned that current measures could undermine Ghana's position as a preferred trade corridor in West Africa. Paul Kobina Mensah, the General Secretary of GIFF, addressing a press conference in Tema on Monday, March 30, 2026, expressed deep concern over what he described as "rushed, unclear and disruptive" policy interventions.

Speaking on behalf of a broad coalition that includes the Ghana Union of Traders Associations, Association of Customs House Agents Ghana and Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, Mr. Mensah noted that the current approach risks eroding investor confidence and disrupting legitimate trade. He explained that the restriction on selected goods under transit arrangements sends a negative signal to regional traders and logistics investors. Concerns were raised about the Publican AI system's inability to fairly assess used and non-standard goods, as well as the risk of embedded over-valuation within global trade data used by the AI tool. The coalition also criticised the recentralisation of the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB), arguing that it has created operational bottlenecks and delays in cargo clearance.

The coalition demanded the immediate review or suspension of the directive governing the Publican AI valuation system, the establishment of an independent and accessible appeals mechanism and the decentralisation of valuation processes. Mr. Mensah warned that failure by authorities to address these concerns could result in further lawful actions, including coordinated industrial measures.