IEAG supports Publican AI System, clarifies earlier position

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has officially declared its support for the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) System, a significant technological upgrade at the nation's ports. This clarification comes after earlier reports and suggestions that the association remained opposed to the system, a stance IEAG has now firmly refuted.

IEAG Executive Secretary, Samson Awingobit Asaki, stated that the association's initial concerns were valid and focused on critical aspects such as insufficient stakeholder consultation, data security protocols, and transparency in the system's integration. However, following extensive and constructive engagements with the government, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), these issues have been satisfactorily addressed.

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As a result of these consultations and the good faith shown by government, the association wishes to state unequivocally that it supports the Publican AI System, which has since been rolled out.

The association commended the government for its commitment to refining the implementation framework and expressed unequivocal support for the Publican AI System, which has now been rolled out. While acknowledging that some operational challenges are typical with major reforms, IEAG expressed confidence in the authorities' ongoing efforts to enhance the system's efficiency. They highlighted the system's potential to significantly boost revenue collection, increase transparency, reduce revenue leakages, and curb unethical practices at the ports, viewing it as a vital step in modernizing Ghana's trade infrastructure and fostering economic growth.

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The association cautioned the public and stakeholders against attempts to misrepresent its position for parochial interests, stressing that it would not allow itself to be used for propaganda.