Ghana Revenue Authority Advances Revenue Security with Publican AI System

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has advanced its revenue security measures with the rollout of the Publican AI system, designed to flag suspicious import declarations and bolster port revenue collection. Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong emphasized that the system does not impose new taxes but rather enhances the accuracy of customs operations by reducing the review time of trade declarations from two hours to five minutes, according to MyJoyOnline reports.

The AI system employs real-time global data to assess risks linked to the origin and declared value of goods, flagging potential under-declarations for further inspection by customs officers, who retain final valuation authority. Sarpong clarified that the AI does not assign values or determine taxes, ensuring that decisions remain in the hands of human officials, as reported by MyJoyOnline.

Since implementation, the Publican AI has uncovered significant revenue leakages, including over GH¢11 billion in losses attributed to under-declaration and irregularities at Ghana’s ports. In February alone, the system detected discrepancies accounting for more than $3 million daily, highlighting systemic weaknesses such as collusion and misclassification in trade data, according to MyJoyOnline coverage.

Further investigations by the GRA using the AI platform revealed that $31 billion was transferred out of Ghana over five years without matching import records, underscoring gaps in port declaration and monitoring processes. These findings have prompted the agency to leverage AI technology to improve transparency, reduce collusion, and ensure fair taxation, MyJoyOnline reports.

Going forward, the Publican AI system’s role will be critical in strengthening revenue collection and customs enforcement while maintaining trade efficiency. The GRA’s continued refinement of the technology and operational protocols will be essential to addressing remaining challenges and safeguarding national revenue streams.