GRA Records $3M Daily Revenue Surge via Publican AI Amid Growing Business Backlash

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has reported a significant revenue boost of over $3 million daily following the mandatory implementation of the Publican AI system at the nation’s ports. Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong highlighted that the AI-driven technology, which became mandatory on March 12, 2026, is designed to enhance the accuracy of import declarations and curb historical revenue leakages. While the system has successfully identified that 75% of declarations are satisfactory, it has flagged the remaining 25% for further scrutiny, revealing discrepancies that manual assessments previously missed. This technological shift is part of a broader GRA initiative to modernize revenue collection and address fiscal gaps.

According to the GRA, the Publican AI system operates alongside the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) to identify inconsistencies in cargo valuation and quantity. Mr. Sarpong noted that if the system were fully optimized and utilized from the beginning, it could potentially generate nearly $1 billion in monthly revenue, which would drastically improve Ghana’s fiscal position. Beyond the ports, the GRA is also preparing to enforce the mandatory use of electronic fiscal devices for real-time transaction monitoring. This move aims to improve VAT collection efficiency, as the authority currently only mobilizes about 40% of its total VAT potential.

Despite the reported financial gains for the state, the Publican AI system has sparked intense criticism from the business community and political figures. Former Member of Parliament Dickson Adomako-Kissi has called for the immediate removal of the system, describing the resulting financial burden on importers as "daylight robbery." Critics argue that the AI-driven tool exacerbates the challenges of the importation process, potentially inflating consumer prices and worsening the cost-of-living crisis for Ghanaians. Freight forwarders have also expressed resistance, arguing that the system places an unsustainable financial strain on businesses already grappling with high costs.

In response to the backlash, the GRA remains firm on its enforcement strategy, citing the need to eliminate import fraud and ensure tax compliance. The authority recently investigated cargo fraud cases that led to the confiscation of goods and disciplinary actions against customs officers. Commissioner-General Sarpong emphasized that while resistance to new systems is common, the technology is vital for national development and fair competition. As the GRA moves forward with its real-time sales tracking and stricter enforcement measures, the government faces the challenge of balancing aggressive revenue mobilization with the need to maintain a conducive environment for private sector growth.