By Prince Ahenkorah
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Thomas Ampem Nyarko, has announced that Ghana will deploy an artificial intelligence powered customs inspection system to help curb massive revenue leakages estimated at over US$127 billion.
Speaking at a media engagement during a three-day stakeholders’ meeting, he said the new technology would tackle persistent challenges in the current customs system, including undervaluation, misclassification of goods, and the use of falsified invoices.
Mr Nyarko revealed that between 2020 and 2025, Ghana recorded imports valued at about US$127 billion, yet only US$52 billion was officially declared.
He noted that the wide gap highlights the urgent need for advanced digital inspection tools to strengthen revenue collection.
He explained that beginning February 1, the AI system would be rolled out nationwide to modernise customs operations, improve efficiency, and block revenue losses.
The system will integrate with the existing Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), significantly reducing import processing times from about two hours to just five minutes.
Parliament approved the Publican Digital Inspection Solution Agreement last year between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Truedare Investment Limited to enhance customs administration and boost revenue mobilisation.
According to Mr Nyarko, a pilot phase conducted in November 2025, using a system already deployed in more than 20 countries, flagged irregularities in 18 out of 43 test transactions.
This led to the recovery of GH¢15 million in additional revenue from five companies. He said the technology supports customs officers by analysing patterns, detecting anomalies, and delivering real-time intelligence from extensive global and local data sources.
The Deputy Finance Minister assured importers and freight forwarders that the new system would not result in extra charges. Instead, it would speed up clearance processes for compliant businesses.
He stressed that only those who deliberately falsify trade data to defraud the state should be concerned.
Mr Nyarko emphasized that the initiative is not meant to restrict trade but to create a fair, transparent, and technology-driven customs environment that promotes compliance.
The Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr Anthony Sarpong, also noted that the AI tool would work seamlessly with ICUMS, which has supported customs operations for over five years.
He said the system would help reduce clearance times, cut duty assessments from two hours to five minutes, and improve revenue by an estimated 40 per cent, while enhancing national security.
Mr Sarpong added that the technology would strengthen efforts to combat smuggling and the concealment of contraband, citing cases such as tramadol hidden in shipping containers. With real-time risk detection, customs officers would be better equipped to identify high-risk cargo.
He further explained that the digital inspection tool would ensure comprehensive assessment of all imports, promote uniformity in duty application, reduce excessive human discretion, and significantly improve risk profiling. According to him, the AI system responds to stakeholder demands for speed, efficiency, and accuracy in customs processing.