Finance Ministry defends AI Port System amid trade concerns -

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has defended government’s decision to deploy the Publican AI system at Ghana’s ports, insisting the technology is crucial to plugging revenue leakages despite mounting opposition from sections of the trading community.

The AI-powered customs platform has triggered debate in recent weeks, with some importers and exporters warning that the system could disrupt port operations, increase costs and undermine the ease of doing business. Several trade groups have since called for its suspension until broader stakeholder consultations are held.

But speaking at the 2026 Annual Conference of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, Mr. Ampem said the rollout forms part of a wider government strategy to modernise Ghana’s public financial management architecture and tighten customs administration.

He said longstanding inefficiencies and weak controls within the system had contributed to substantial revenue losses over the years, making technological intervention unavoidable.

According to him, the Ministry of Finance has already moved to institutionalise the reforms through the creation of a Public Financial Management Systems Division in March 2026 to supervise major structural and digital changes.

“This high priority for systemic changes in public financial management is what informed our decision to introduce an AI-powered system to strengthen Customs administration, detect undervaluation, and close long-standing revenue leakages at our ports,” he stated.

Mr. Ampem stressed that government remains committed to ensuring the reforms are delivered effectively, within scope and on schedule to reinforce fiscal discipline, accountability and revenue mobilisation across the public sector.