The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), goods forwarders, and other business groups have agreed to suspend their planned industrial action in response to what they describe as key concessions from the government following a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance and the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The decision comes after government representatives and the Joint Business Forum met yesterday, Thursday, April 16, 2026, to examine worries about the Publican AI system and how it would affect trade and valuation procedures.
The Publican AI system’s immediate suspension, the reinstatement of the current appeals process for valuation outcomes with a guaranteed 24-hour turnaround, complete disclosure of the system’s operational details, and more precise terms for participation in a proposed multi-party committee were the four main demands made by the business coalition during the meeting.
The coalition states that the government decided to return the valuation appeals procedure to its prior format and guarantee that all appeals are settled within a day.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance promised to increase the number of members on the appeals committee from six to twelve.
Additionally, the parties decided that on Monday, April 20, 2026, they would work together to draft the proposed multi-party committee’s terms of reference.
Nonetheless, the government rejected requests to suspend the Publican AI system and stuck to its stance.
Instead, officials stated that the proposed multi-party committee should handle the issues.
Although it stated that trade leaders would be permitted to question the system and interact with its operators, the government also declined to fully disclose the contractual and technical elements of the system.
The Joint Business Forum described the interaction as more productive than earlier meetings, while it expressed dissatisfaction with some aspects of the resolution and applauded the compromises made.
The coalition emphasised that although its industrial action has been postponed, it has not been withdrawn and that future actions will be contingent upon the results of forthcoming negotiations.
It reaffirmed its ongoing call for the Publican AI system to be suspended, emphasising the need for greater stakeholder participation and openness.
The forum further stated that while it is still dedicated to communication, it will take additional steps if needed to safeguard stability and justice in Ghana’s trade environment.
GUTA, Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Association of Custom House Agents of Ghana (ACHAG), Customs Brokers Association of Ghana (CUBAG), Coalition of Importers and Exporters, and Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana (FFAG) all signed the statement.
Source: newsthemegh.com