AGI supports implementation of Publican Al system

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has expressed support for the rollout of the Publican AI system at Ghana’s ports, saying it will improve fairness in duty assessment and revenue mobilisation.

“So far so good; we are happy about the system. We will work together to support the government to raise the needed revenue for development,” Dr Kofi Nsiah-Poku, President of the AGI, said this in an interview with the media in Accra.

This was after an engagement between the Association and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on the implementation of the system on Friday.

Dr Nsiah-Poku said the engagement was held to address concerns from industry players and deepen understanding of how the AI system works, to reduce uncertainty among manufacturers and traders.

“We are not against the system but needed to understand the system and get better clarifications,” he said.

Dr Nsiah-Poku said members of the Association were satisfied with explanations provided by the GRA, particularly on how the system promotes fairness and accuracy in valuing imported goods.

“From the explanation and demonstration from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), we do not have a problem with the system; ours is to ensure that the value on the goods is accurate,” he said.

Dr Nsiah-Poku said AGI’s main concern was the speed at which disputes arising from the system are resolved, adding that assurances had been given that such issues would be handled within 48 hours.

He noted that about 80 per cent of AGI members operate in the manufacturing sector and would continue to support reforms that reduce anomalies at the ports.

Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General, GRA, said the Authority was still dealing with challenges of under-declaration at the ports, hence the introduction of the AI system to close revenue leakages.

He said the system complements existing customs procedures and is designed to improve fairness and accuracy in trade transactions.

Sarpong said the system had reduced document review time from two hours to five minutes, significantly improving efficiency and revenue collection.

He disclosed that the Authority had identified potential revenue gains of about GH¢11 billion previously lost through leakages uncovered by the system.

Sarpong explained that the system reduces human discretion by introducing standardised automated processing to speed up clearance of goods.

He said although the system had received mixed reactions from freight forwarders and industry stakeholders, others had welcomed its role in improving efficiency at the ports.

Sarpong said an appeals mechanism had been introduced to handle complaints, alongside a technical committee with AGI to address implementation challenges.

Some participants at the engagement raised concerns about high port duties but were assured that such issues would be addressed through continued dialogue.