Publican AI system faces suspension calls over inflated import duties

A Member of Parliament, Michael Okyere Baafi, has asked for the Publican AI Revenue System to stop. He said that a lack of talks with the public and issues with the company led to the call.

Mr Baafi stated that the company chosen to run the system was new. He said it was set up in December 2024. He also said it has no past work experience in AI systems. The contract was also given without other bids.

The current AI system uses median values to set import duties. This is against global trade rules, according to Mr Baafi. He warned it goes against Ghana's Customs Act, 2015. This law states that import duties should be based on the real value of goods.

The system has led to increases in duty payments for businesses. Some importers now pay over GHS2.1 million, up from GHS900,000. These higher duties are causing problems at the ports, including delays.

The Ministry of Finance says the system is important. It aims to stop an estimated US$31 billion in trade revenue lost each year. But Mr Baafi says the system needs to be fixed. If not, it could hurt business trust in Ghana's tax system.