By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada. April 13, 2026
A Member of Parliament, Attah Issah, has defended the introduction of an artificial intelligence-powered customs valuation system by the Ghana Revenue Authority, amid growing concerns from importers and traders over rising duty assessments.
The system, which is designed to automate and standardize the valuation of imported goods, has been at the center of debate within Ghana’s trade sector, with stakeholders questioning its impact on costs and business operations.
Speaking on the issue, Attah Issah emphasized that the primary objective of the system is to address long-standing revenue leakages at the country’s ports.
“The system was introduced to stop revenue leakages,” he stated.
According to the MP, discrepancies in import declarations have resulted in significant losses to the state over the years.
“We cannot continue to ignore the discrepancies,” he said, pointing to data that suggests a major gap between actual import values and declared figures.
He revealed that while Ghana’s total import value was estimated at approximately $127 billion, only about $52 billion was officially declared, highlighting concerns about under-invoicing and misreporting within the system.
The AI-driven platform is intended to replace manual and discretionary valuation processes, which authorities say have been prone to inconsistencies and manipulation.
“We are moving from a manual, discretionary system to a data-driven one,” Attah Issah explained.
Officials argue that the shift to automation will improve transparency, reduce human interference, and ensure that import duties are assessed based on standardized and verifiable data.
However, the rollout has been met with resistance from sections of the trading community, who claim that the system has led to higher duty valuations and increased operational costs.
Some importers have called for a review of the system, citing concerns about fairness, accuracy, and the readiness of stakeholders to adapt to the new framework.
Industry observers note that while digitalization of customs processes is a global trend aimed at improving efficiency and compliance, its success depends on stakeholder engagement, proper calibration, and clear communication.
The Ghana Revenue Authority has maintained that the system is part of broader reforms to modernize revenue collection and strengthen the country’s fiscal position.
As discussions continue, policymakers and stakeholders are expected to engage further to address concerns and refine the implementation of the system.
