The Ashanti Business Owners Association (ABOA) has voiced strong opposition to the recent deployment of artificial intelligence systems for customs valuation and tariff classification at the country’s ports, warning that the technology threatens transparency, predictability and Ghana’s international trade commitments.
In a press release issued on Friday 31st of March, 2026, the association acknowledged the value of digital modernisation but said the current AI framework raises serious operational, legal and economic concerns that require immediate attention. “While we acknowledge the importance of digital transformation and support efforts by authorities to modernise port operations, the current application of AI in customs valuation and classification raises significant operational, legal, and economic concerns that must be urgently addressed,” ABOA stated.
The association highlighted six major issues. First, it criticised the systems for operating as “black-box” mechanisms that offer limited visibility into how values and classifications are determined, undermining transparency and due process. Second, ABOA argued that the non-deterministic outcomes conflict with Ghana’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which requires predictability, advance rulings and expedited clearance. “This creates implicit trade barriers, contrary to Ghana’s trade facilitation commitments,” the statement said.
ABOA further pointed to preliminary feedback from importers showing a trend of arbitrary increases in declared values, which it said results in excessive duty assessments without clear justification or a standardised appeal mechanism. The group also contended that the AI approach appears inconsistent with the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement, which prioritises transaction value as the primary basis for assessment. In addition, the association expressed concern over limited human oversight, noting that over-reliance on automated decisions reduces the role of experienced customs officers and limits accountability in complex trade scenarios.
ABOA has also warned of broader economic harm, stating that high import duty costs increase the cost of doing business, distort pricing structures, raise inflation, deplete working capital, stagnate growth and ultimately reduce government revenue in the medium and long term.
Despite its objections, ABOA argued that it is not against technology in customs administration. “We are not opposed to the integration of technology in customs administration,” the association said in it’s statement. “However, such deployment must be gradual, consultative, and compliant with international best practices. AI should serve as a support tool, not a substitute for established valuation principles and professional judgment.”
The group has therefor urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) and the Ministry of Finance to take seven concrete steps: suspend full-scale deployment pending comprehensive stakeholder consultations; address high import duty costs to reduce undervaluation, misclassification and evasion; publish clear guidelines on how AI-generated values and classifications are derived; establish a transparent dispute-resolution mechanism for importers; ensure alignment with WTO principles and Ghana’s trade commitments; adopt a hybrid system where AI outputs are advisory and subject to validation by qualified officers; and pilot the system in controlled environments before any nationwide rollout.
ABOA stresses that the integrity of Ghana’s trade ecosystem depends on fairness, predictability and adherence to international standards. “While innovation is essential, it must not come at the expense of businesses and economic growth,” the association said. “We urge the relevant authorities to engage stakeholders meaningfully and recalibrate this initiative to ensure that it fosters trade facilitation and reduces the cost of importation while enhancing government revenue.”
Read full statement below:
