The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), a non-partisan think tank, has formally petitioned the Ministry of Finance to disclose the contractual, legal and operational details of the controversial new Publican AI system, used for processing customs duties in Ghana.
The request, signed by the institute’s executive director, Professor Isaac Boadi, and filed under the Right to Information Act 2019 (Act 989), seeks to compel government officials to release comprehensive information on the system’s implementation, particularly its financial arrangements and legal basis.
IERPP argues that the growing role of the Publican AI system in customs valuation and inspection makes transparency imperative.
IERPP says that the system “has a big impact on trade, collecting taxes and the national interest” and stresses that public accountability must match its expanding influence.
Contractual concerns
Central to the petition is a demand for full disclosure of the agreement between the Government of Ghana — specifically the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance — and Truedare Investment Ltd.
The RTI request calls for “the full terms of the contract … to be made public”, alongside details of “the total value of the contract and how payments will be made (through fees, commissions or sharing of revenue)”.
It further seeks clarity on “length of the contract and terms for renewing it”, as well as the procurement method used, including whether the deal was secured through “sole sourcing, competitive tender, etc”.
The petition from the IERPP also raises questions about “provisions for sharing risk and debts to the state”, suggesting concerns over potential fiscal exposure.
Legal basis
Beyond financial arrangements, the request probes the legal justification for deploying AI in customs valuation.
It specifically asks if “the Customs Act of 2015 (Act 891) has specific rules that support the enforcement of AI-based valuation”, and queries the “legal reason for not letting customs officers change values that AI has set”.
The letter further demands clarity on “the legal framework that governs appeals and dispute resolution in the system”, highlighting potential tensions between automated decision-making and established administrative justice principles.
Oversight questions
The operational integrity of the AI system is also under the spotlight. The IERPP is requesting a “detailed methodology used by the AI system” in areas such as customs valuation, risk profiling and classification decisions.
Crucially, the letter seeks disclosure of “data sources and international benchmarks relied upon” as well as the “level of human oversight in final decision-making”.
It further demands “mechanisms in place to ensure transparency of AI-generated decisions” and asks whether “traders can access or challenge the underlying valuation logic”.
Concerns about accountability are underscored by calls for “audit mechanisms for system accuracy and bias” pointing to broader global debates on the governance of artificial intelligence in public administration.
Centralisation
The petition also questions the centralisation of dispute resolution processes, asking for “justification for centralising appeals in Accra” and data on the “average turnaround time for dispute resolution”.
It further seeks “measures to decentralise or digitise the appeals process”, as well as statistics on the “number of disputes filed and resolved since implementation”.
Economic impact
With regard to the economic impact of the system, the request demands evidence of its effect on trade and revenue.
It calls for government’s assessment of “import costs”, “port clearance time” and “trade volumes”, including sector-specific effects on agriculture, the automotive industry and manufacturing.
The letter seeks overall confirmation of the “estimated revenue gains attributed to the system since implementation”, along with a comparison of projected revenue improvement against actual gains.
Importantly, it requests “evidence supporting claims of reduced undervaluation and fraud”, suggesting that official assertions about the system’s effectiveness require substantiation.
Accountability
Describing the Publican AI system as “a big change in Ghana’s trade and customs policies”, the IERPP letter emphasises that public trust hinges on transparency.
“Keeping the public’s trust, protecting businesses and protecting the national interest all depend on making sure that the operation, legal basis and financial effects are all clear,” the letter says.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to respond within the statutory timelines outlined under the Right to Information Act.
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