Tamale, April 1, – CropLife Ghana has raised alarms over the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) System, warning that it could disrupt the importation of agricultural inputs and threaten national food security.
The association, which represents manufacturers, importers, and distributors of pesticides, fertilizers, seeds, and other farm inputs, said unusually high duty assessments under the AI system were creating operational and financial difficulties for its members.
In a press release signed by Mr Kadiri Rashad, Executive Director of CropLife Ghana, the organisation cited a recent case where the declared value of imported goods jumped from an expected GH₵900,000 to about GH₵2.1 million, exceeding both invoice and benchmark values.
“Despite multiple attempts to seek clarification and resolution, the matter remains unresolved,” the statement said, adding that several companies are experiencing similar issues.
CropLife Ghana warned that the high valuations could inflate input costs, discourage importers, and limit access to essential crop protection products. This, it said, could drive farmers toward unregulated or counterfeit pesticides, affecting human health, crop yields, and the environment.
The group stressed that sustained disruptions in input supply could lower agricultural productivity, threaten national food supply, and push up food prices.
To mitigate these risks, CropLife Ghana called for:
Urgent review of the Publican AI system and greater stakeholder engagement.
Safeguards to prevent AI-generated valuations from exceeding benchmark values without justification.
Improved transparency in the valuation process.
Faster, accessible dispute resolution mechanisms for importers.
“While we support modernising and digitising customs processes, it is critical that such systems do not inadvertently disrupt trade, burden businesses, or undermine Ghana’s agricultural productivity and food security,” the statement added.
CropLife Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement to achieve a balanced and effective solution.
GHBUSS
01 April 2026
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