Government financing of the newly introduced Publican AI system at Ghana’s ports has been justified on the grounds of its potential to boost national revenue, according to the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong.
The digital platform, which forms part of efforts to modernise port operations and streamline import clearance processes, has sparked widespread debate within the shipping and logistics sector. While authorities insist the system will improve efficiency, enhance transparency and cut down delays, sections of industry players remain unconvinced.
The rollout has faced strong resistance, particularly from freight forwarders and clearing agents, escalating tensions across the port community in recent days.
As part of the pushback, some stakeholders had planned a nationwide industrial action, which included suspending duty payments and halting services from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026. The directive was issued under the auspices of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA).
However, the situation appears to have de-escalated after the Ghana Shippers’ Authority confirmed that GUTA has agreed to suspend the intended full-scale strike following high-level discussions between the parties.
Speaking in an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV on Monday, April 13, Mr Sarpong defended the government’s decision to fund the system, citing its revenue-generating prospects.
“Government is paying because we realised that this will give us more money,” he stated.
Although he declined to disclose the cost of the system due to contractual confidentiality, he stressed that due process was followed in its acquisition.
“This is one of the procurements we undertook with the highest level of transparency. We went through Parliament, and it approved the selection,” he added.
