The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has stated that its adoption of Publican AI to assess the value of imported goods has significantly boosted customs revenue.

GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong revealed that the Authority generated GH¢6.1 billion in customs revenue in July 2026, compared with an average of about GH¢4 billion recorded each month before the artificial intelligence-powered system was fully implemented.

He said the increase represents an additional GH¢2.1 billion in monthly revenue.

Dr Sarpong made the disclosure when the GRA Board and Management paid a courtesy visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace.

According to him, Publican AI became fully operational in April 2026 as part of measures to improve import valuation and strengthen customs revenue collection.

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He explained that customs receipts rose from approximately GH¢4 billion before the reform to GH¢5.5 billion in June and GH¢6.1 billion in July.

“The full implementation started in April 2026. So, between April and June, we are happy to report, and as the Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson also echoed in Parliament, that we are collecting about GH¢1.3 to GH¢1.5 billion a month in addition to what we used to collect.

“So that means before the implementation we were collecting about GHC4 billion a month. As of June, we were collecting GH¢5.5 billion. In the month of July, we collected GH¢6.1 billion, which means that our custom reforms are working,” he said.

Dr Sarpong credited the gains to the cooperation of importers, businesses and GRA personnel.

He also announced plans to introduce further reforms to improve VAT collection.

He noted that only about four in every 10 businesses currently pay VAT, with others failing to charge, remit or properly account for the tax.

Parliament has approved a project that will allow the government to require devices at shops and service points to strengthen VAT administration.

“That is going to be a game changer in our VAT administration,” he said.

The GRA is expected to engage businesses and the public before the new VAT measures take effect. Dr Sarpong also announced plans for a consumer reward programme for people who collect VAT receipts, with further details to be released later.

He expressed appreciation to the Asantehene and traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region for supporting the GRA’s revenue mobilisation efforts.

FKA/EB

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