Tensions Rise at Ghana’s Ports: GUTA Suspends Strike for Consultations While Freight Forwarders Launch Tema Action

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has officially suspended its nationwide industrial action, originally scheduled for April 13 to April 17, 2026, following emergency stakeholder meetings. The protest was triggered by the controversial rollout of the Publican AI system, which traders claim has introduced exorbitant duty assessments and severe delays in cargo clearance. While GUTA has paused its action to allow for further consultations with the government, a coalition of freight forwarders has moved forward with a separate four-day strike at the Tema Port, signaling deep-seated unrest within the shipping and trade sectors.

At the heart of the dispute is the Publican AI, an artificial intelligence-driven platform implemented by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to modernize customs processes and curb revenue leakage. GUTA President Clement Boateng has been vocal about the "severe trading difficulties" the system imposes, citing valuation disputes and rising operational costs that have hampered the business environment. Conversely, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), led by Sampson Asaki Awingobit, has expressed support for the system. Awingobit argues that the AI corrects chronic under-declaration of goods, promoting fairness and integrity, and has cautioned that demands for an immediate shutdown are premature.

The situation remains volatile on the ground at Tema Port. Despite GUTA’s suspension, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) and other trade associations launched a strike on April 14, 2026. General Secretary Paul Kobina Mensah warned that the suspension of duty payments and import processing could extend beyond the initial four-day window if their grievances regarding system inefficiencies are not resolved. The coalition is calling for broader reforms in port management, including more transparent governance and clearly documented procedures to prevent arbitrary valuation changes by the AI platform.

As the April 16 meeting with the Minister of Transport approaches, the government and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority are emphasizing the importance of dialogue over disruption. Prof. Ransford Gyampo of the Shippers’ Authority has highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to resolve industry disputes and ensure that trade continues to flow. While the government remains committed to revenue mobilization through digital modernization, the current standoff highlights the friction between technological advancement and the practical realities of Ghana’s trading community. The outcome of the upcoming consultations will be critical in determining whether the port will return to full operations or face a protracted period of industrial unrest.