Freight forwarders operating within the Aflao and Akanu land borders have declared an indefinite strike over concerns surrounding the Publican AI valuation system and the ban on selected imports through land borders.
The industrial action, led by the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIIF), Aflao District, has resulted in a complete suspension of the clearance of goods, payment of duties, and movement of vehicles across the borders, significantly disrupting activities along the major trade corridors.
Mr Abijah Osabutey-Ayor, Chairman of the GIIF Aflao District, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the decision followed the expiration of an earlier ultimatum issued to the Ministry of Finance, to which he said no response had been received.
He explained that freight forwarders and customs house agents, who play a critical role in revenue mobilisation and cross-border trade, could no longer operate under what they described as burdensome and unjustifiable conditions.
“There will be no clearance, no payment of duties, and no movement of vehicles across the borders. All our core responsibilities will be suspended until further notice,” he stated.
Mr Osabutey-Ayor said the strike was primarily triggered by unresolved concerns surrounding the Publican Digital Inspection Solution, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system used in customs classification and valuation.
He noted that the system had resulted in inflated and unrealistic customs values, often disregarding internationally accepted valuation principles, thereby placing an excessive financial burden on traders.
He further cited the centralisation of valuation processes in Accra, which he said had caused delays in clearing goods, leading to increased demurrage and operational costs.
The absence of a functional appeals system to address valuation of disputes also remains a major concern for the association.
Mr Osabutey-Ayor also criticised the ban on selected commodities through land borders, including rice, sugar, flour, cooking oil, textiles, and frozen products, describing it as a blanket directive that negatively affects trade activities.
He argued that the decision was inconsistent with the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), as well as African Continental Free Trade Area and ECOWAS trade facilitation principles, warning that it could have serious implications for businesses and employment in border communities.
According to him, the continued implementation of these measures without stakeholder engagement has made it difficult for freight forwarders to effectively perform their duties.
He said the strike is expected to impact revenue collection, trade flow, and economic activities within the Ketu South and Ketu North areas, as well as along the Ghana–Togo border.
Mr Osabutey-Ayor reiterated the association’s demand for a review of the Publican AI system, decentralisation of valuation processes, and the immediate suspension of the land border commodity ban.
He said that while the association remains open to dialogue, the strike will continue until government engages them and addresses their concerns.
Traders and transport operators at the Aflao border have already begun expressing concern over the development, as the situation is expected to affect the movement of goods and services in the coming days.