Deploy Publican AI across ministries, not just ports - Food and Beverages Association President

John Awuni, President of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, criticised the Publican AI system being implemented at the ports. He described the system as flawed and unsuitable for the sector. He said the system is negatively impacting businesses within the food and beverages industry.

John Awuni stated that the Ghana Revenue Authority's claims that the system has generated a 46% increase in revenue could have unintended consequences, particularly rising food prices for consumers. He said, "The Publican AI system is hallucinating; you cannot put that thing at the port." He argued that the cost burden imposed at the ports would ultimately be transferred to Ghanaians through higher prices of goods. He also stated that corruption is not limited to the ports but is widespread across multiple sectors of the economy.

John Awuni called on the government to expand the use of AI technology beyond the ports to other ministries and agencies if it is indeed effective in tackling revenue leakages and corruption. He stated, "So, if AI has come and saved revenue and has even increased it, then let it not only be at the port but should be deployed to all the ministries because the only battle we are battling in this country is corruption."