Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has unveiled plans to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems at customs entry points in a bold effort to clamp down on revenue leakages and smuggling.
Delivering the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, Dr Forson said the move is aimed at reducing human interference in revenue assessment processes, particularly at critical locations like the Tema Port.
The announcement comes amid troubling figures from the first half of the year, which show a customs revenue shortfall of GH₵1.6 billion, representing a 12.7% decline from projected targets.
“These developments pose risks to the attainment of our revenue targets for the year 2025,” Dr Forson said.
He attributed the shortfall largely to systemic inefficiencies and smuggling, including the illicit movement of gold across Ghana’s land borders.
The Finance Minister stressed that deploying AI technologies would enhance transparency, improve accuracy in revenue assessments, and ultimately limit human manipulation that contributes to leakages.
“To close the gap and enhance customs efficiency, we must minimise human interference. Leveraging AI is a crucial part of that strategy,” he noted.
The proposed integration of AI tools is expected to form part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Ghana’s revenue mobilisation systems, ensuring fiscal sustainability, and boosting public confidence in customs operations.
