The General Secretary of the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana,Sam Ato Aggrey, has called for a temporary suspension of the customs AI valuation system, citing lack of transparency and rising costs for importers.

Aggrey, who participated in a stakeholder meeting convened by the Ghana Shippers Authority, said while discussions were constructive, no firm resolution was reached, prompting a “partial suspension” of industrial action to allow further engagement.

Aggrey clarified that importers are not opposed to the AI system itself, acknowledging its potential to improve revenue collection and address under-declaration.

However, he argued that its current implementation is flawed.

“The problem is not the AI — it is how it is being implemented,” he said on the Asaase Breakfast Show (14 April).

According to him, the system indiscriminately flags shipments without clearly distinguishing between compliant and non-compliant importers, creating uncertainty and delays.

A major concern, he noted, is the accumulation of demurrage charges while disputes over valuations remain unresolved.

In some cases, he said, these charges exceed the duties importers are required to pay.

“The demurrage alone is even worse than the duty,” he warned.

He proposed that flagged goods be moved into bonded warehouses or held under customs control to prevent additional costs while investigations are ongoing.

Aggrey also stressed the need for government to better educate importers on how the AI system works, arguing that lack of understanding is fueling resistance.

“People do not understand how this AI is working,” he said, calling for broader transparency, including sharing test results and system logic with stakeholders.

He urged government to pause implementation for about two weeks to allow meaningful consultations and technical clarifications.

“If we engage properly, everybody will be a winner,” he said.

Aggrey warned that failure to address concerns could hurt government revenue if importers slow down or halt clearing activities.

While supporting efforts to improve compliance, he emphasised the need for fairness and consistency in duty assessments.

“Government must win, and the importer must also win,” he said.