CropLife Ghana has raised alarm over the implementation of the Publican AI System by the Ghana Revenue Authority, warning that the system could negatively impact agricultural imports and threaten food security in Ghana.

In a press statement issued in Accra, the organization expressed concern that the AI-driven valuation mechanism is distorting import values for agricultural inputs, leading to unusually high duty charges and delays in clearing goods at the ports.

CropLife Ghana, which represents companies involved in the production and distribution of crop protection products, said the situation is already placing significant strain on businesses and supply chains.

The group cited a recent case involving one of its members where the declared value of imported goods was increased well beyond both the invoice and established benchmark values. This resulted in a dramatic jump in duty payments from an expected GHS 900,000 to approximately GHS 2.1 million.

According to the organization, repeated efforts to seek clarification and resolution have not been successful, with similar complaints emerging from other industry players.

CropLife Ghana warned that the ongoing challenges are creating serious operational risks, including the likelihood of mounting demurrage costs as consignments remain stuck at the ports, severe cash flow pressures on importers, and disruptions in the timely distribution of essential agricultural inputs to farmers.

The organization further highlighted broader implications for the agricultural sector, cautioning that persistently high import valuations could inflate costs beyond realistic market levels and discourage the importation of vital crop protection products.

It added that such conditions may drive farmers toward cheaper, unregulated, and potentially counterfeit pesticides, posing risks to human health, crop yields, and the environment.

According to the group, limited access to quality agricultural inputs could weaken farmers' ability to control pests and diseases, leading to declining productivity, reduced output, and ultimately higher food prices.

This, it noted, could undermine national food security if urgent steps are not taken.

CropLife Ghana is therefore calling on authorities to immediately review the implementation of the Publican AI System. The organization is urging the introduction of safeguards to prevent AI-generated values from exceeding benchmark levels without justification, improved transparency in the valuation process, faster dispute resolution mechanisms, and stronger engagement with industry stakeholders.


While acknowledging the importance of digital transformation in customs administration, the group stressed that such innovations must be carefully implemented to avoid unintended disruptions to trade and agriculture.