Ghana's largest traders' association has fired back at the government over what it calls a botched rollout of artificial intelligence technology at the country's ports. The Ghana Union of Traders' Associations (GUTA) is demanding answers about why they were left out of consultations before the implementation of Publican AI, a system designed to detect trade fraud.
Speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Wednesday, April 22, Benjamin Yeboah, Director of Welfare at GUTA, revealed that the union only learned about the AI system through the 2026 budget presentation. What particularly notable was how a major trade policy affecting thousands of businesses was apparently implemented without involving key stakeholders.
"We got here when last year the Minister for Finance, in his 2026 budget, made mention of the deployment of the AI system at the port to check on valuations and possibly misclassifications," Yeboah explained.
System Already Flagged 14 Companies
The Finance Minister had justified the Publican AI deployment by claiming the government was losing revenue due to improper declarations by importers. According to Yeboah, the Minister stated that "people were ripping off the government" through inadequate declarations.
When GUTA finally secured a meeting with ministry officials in February 2026 - months after pushing for engagement - they discovered a pilot program was already running. Officials presented data showing the system had flagged approximately 14 companies for alleged under-declaration.
Consultation Process Called Into Question
The timeline reveals a concerning pattern of implementation without stakeholder input. GUTA only learned about Publican AI during the November 2025 budget reading, then struggled for months to get a meeting with officials.
"We pushed and pushed... it was just in February that we got a chance to meet with them," Yeboah said. By then, the pilot was already operational at Ghana's ports.
This approach directly contradicts best practices for AI implementation in trade systems, where stakeholder consultation typically precedes deployment. I have covered similar technology rollouts across Africa, and Ghana's approach stands out for its lack of transparency.
Traders Fear Increased Costs
GUTA's primary concern centers on potential cost increases for importers. Yeboah questioned whether the AI system would "uplift values and cause problems" for traders operating on thin margins.
"We thought that we as major stakeholders... would have that sitting and then we look at how the whole thing is going to work," Yeboah stated.
Early Problems Already Emerging
Despite official assurances that the system would operate smoothly for most imports, Yeboah indicated that concerns have begun materializing in practice. The admission that 24 to 25 percent of imports might face complications represents thousands of shipments potentially affected monthly.
Ghana's approach contrasts sharply with other African countries implementing similar trade automation systems, where extensive consultations typically precede deployment. The GUTA complaints highlight broader questions about technology governance and stakeholder engagement in Ghana's digital transformation initiatives.
The controversy underscores the delicate balance between combating trade fraud and maintaining smooth business operations. While revenue protection remains crucial, the lack of proper consultation may ultimately undermine the system's effectiveness and acceptance among the trading community.