Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that monthly customs revenue has increased by approximately 17% following the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customs reforms aimed at improving compliance and reducing revenue leakages.
According to him, the reforms have strengthened enforcement at the country’s borders while enhancing revenue mobilisation without imposing additional tax burdens on Ghanaians.
Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Ato Forson said the government introduced major customs reforms backed by AI and other digital technologies to modernise customs operations a move he said it’s not regrettable.
“Since the introduction of the AI-powered customs reforms, monthly customs revenue has increased by approximately 17%, reflecting stronger compliance, more effective enforcement and significantly reduced leakages,” he stated.
Ato Forson hinted at the introduced measures to curb the misuse of the Tax Refund Account, ensuring that funds earmarked for legitimate tax refunds are no longer diverted for other purposes.
He said the reforms have contributed to improved domestic revenue performance despite the abolition of several taxes.
“Despite abolishing multiple taxes and introducing no new tax handles, non-oil tax revenue increased by 0.5% of GDP, from 12.6% of GDP in 2024 to 13.1% of GDP in 2025,” the Finance Minister told Parliament.
Dr. Forson further indicated that government collected more tax revenue in 2025 than in the previous year, even after scrapping what he described as nuisance taxes, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).
He attributed the improved revenue performance to stronger compliance measures, enhanced tax administration and technology-driven reforms rather than increased taxation.
“The lesson here is simple: better policy, stronger compliance and smarter administration will always deliver more sustainable revenue than higher taxes,” Dr. Forson said.
