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AI PORT VALUATION SPARKS OUTRAGE IN KUMASI: SPARE PARTS DEALERS THREATEN 70% PRICE HIKE
By:Hon Justice Baffour-managing editor www.dailywatchgh.com(0246930931)
Spare parts dealers in Kumasi, led by the Ashanti Regional leadership of the Ghana Spare Parts Dealers Association, have fiercely resisted the introduction of an Artificial
Intelligence-powered valuation system at the country’s ports, warning it could cripple their businesses and trigger a sharp rise in prices. At a charged press conference dominated by chants and visible frustration, the traders unanimously rejected the system and called on government to immediately abolish it.
Addressing the media, the Suame Magazine Chairman, Adu Godfred, described the policy as a direct threat to the survival of dealers. He argued that the AI-driven valuation mechanism, introduced by the Ghana Revenue Authority, is imposing excessively high and inconsistent import duties, making it nearly impossible for traders to remain competitive.
According to Mr. Godfred, the unpredictability of the system has created deep uncertainty within the sector, with many dealers already incurring heavy losses. He stressed that several businesses are on the brink of collapse, as traders struggle to absorb the rising costs without passing them on to consumers.
Holding placards with messages such as “Stop the AI Hardship,” “We Are Losing Our Businesses,” and “Review the System Now,” the aggrieved dealers issued a strong warning: if the policy is not scrapped, spare parts prices could surge by between 50 and 70 percent. Such an increase, they cautioned, would not only affect their livelihoods but also place an additional financial burden on vehicle owners and transport operators across the country.
Beyond the AI controversy, the traders also drew attention to the stalled Suame Interchange project, describing its abandonment as another major setback.
They lamented that excessive dust from the unfinished construction is settling on goods, making them appear old and reducing customer patronage. The dealers are therefore urging government to fast-track the project’s completion, warning that failure to address both concerns could trigger intensified protests and further disruption within the sector.
