Freight forwarders and clearing agents have been instructed to stop paying tariffs and lay down their tools from today, Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026, as part of a statewide trade strike proclaimed by the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations.
Yesterday, Sunday, April 12, 2026, GUTA issued a press release signed by its president, Clement Boateng, stating that the decision was made in response to fruitless discussions with the government on problems associated with the Publican AI system’s deployment at the nation’s ports.
The union pointed out that despite continuous conversations meant to allay their worries, traders nevertheless encounter substantial operational difficulties.
“Unpredictable and excessively high duty assessments, prolonged delays in cargo clearance, mounting demurrage and rent charges, and the near absence of an effective and accessible system for resolving valuation disputes” as key issues affecting its members.”
“These conditions have created an unsustainable trading environment and pose a serious threat to business continuity,” the statement said.
Along with the strike instruction, GUTA recommended that its members temporarily stop all import operations until the system’s “clarity and predictability” are restored.
The association also requested authorities to conduct a thorough evaluation of the Publican AI system’s implementation and demanded that it be immediately suspended in its current configuration.
The statement went on, “We urge the Government to act decisively to restore confidence, stability, and fairness within Ghana’s trade regime.”
If widely followed, the proposed action is anticipated to cause disruptions to port operations as traders put more pressure on authorities to examine the system.
Source: newsthemegh.com