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The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), alongside various freight forwarding and business advocacy groups, has decided to suspend its planned strike following positive concessions from the government.
The decision, made on April 16, 2026, followed high-level talks between the Joint Business Forum and officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The discussions were sparked by growing concerns within the industry about the impact of the new Publican AI trade valuation system on trade operations and customs valuations.
During the meeting, the business coalition presented four key demands: the immediate suspension of the Publican AI system, the restoration of the previous valuation appeals process with a guaranteed 24-hour resolution, full transparency of the system’s technical operations, and inclusion in a proposed multi-party oversight committee.
In a significant development, the government agreed to reinstate the previous appeals framework, ensuring that all valuation disputes will be addressed within a 24-hour timeframe. To enhance transparency, the appeals committee will be expanded from six to twelve members. Additionally, both parties agreed to meet again on April 20 to jointly finalize the terms of reference for the new multi-party oversight committee.
However, the government rejected the demand to suspend the Publican AI system, insisting that operational concerns be channeled through the new committee. While trade representatives pushed for full disclosure of the system’s contractual details, the government allowed them to engage directly with the system’s operators for further clarification.
Although the Joint Business Forum acknowledged that some issues remain unresolved, it viewed the discussions as a step forward. The coalition, which includes GUTA, GIFF, TAGG, FABAG, and others, made it clear that the suspension is temporary and depends on the outcome of future negotiations. They warned that further action could be taken if talks fail.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv