Urgently cancel Truedare AI Customs deal over cost concerns - Joseph Cudjoe to Mahama
Joseph Cudjoe has called on President John Dramani Mahama, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Finance Minister to immediately abrogate the controversial "Publican AI Customs" contract with Truedare Investments Limited. Mr. Cudjoe argued that Ghana risks paying billions of cedis annually under what he describes as an opaque and potentially costly arrangement. He disclosed that earlier estimates suggested the country could pay about GH₵2.8 billion yearly under a 20 percent revenue-sharing model.
New information indicates a possible 13 percent revenue share could still result in payments ranging between GH₵3.28 billion and GH₵3.95 billion annually, depending on revenue projections. Mr. Cudjoe questioned the rationale behind engaging a foreign private vendor to manage a critical AI-powered customs system, despite what he described as Ghana's growing local digital capacity. He cited several digital initiatives implemented under the previous administration, including the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), as evidence that local expertise can deliver cost-effective solutions. He also warned of a potential "moral hazard," arguing that a revenue-based compensation model could incentivise aggressive tax collection practices that may burden traders and consumers.
Mr. Cudjoe is backing calls by the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana for full disclosure of the contract, following reports that access was denied under the Right to Information Act.
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Joseph Cudjoe urges President Mahama to cancel the Truedare AI Customs deal. He cites concerns over the potential cost of the agreement to the Ghanaian economy - raising questions about value for money.
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