Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operators of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), says it is implementing significant upgrades to enhance system performance and resolve recent downtimes that have disrupted trade activities.
The company acknowledged stakeholder concerns over intermittent challenges on the platform in recent weeks but assured importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and shipping lines that technical fixes are already underway.
According to Ghana Link, the upgrades are targeted at expanding ICUMS’ capacity and resilience to meet the exponential increase in data traffic driven by Ghana’s growing trade volumes.
The platform, which is central to customs revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation, has faced pressure as more businesses integrate into the formal trade ecosystem.
“Working with key stakeholders, our technical teams have identified the root causes of the issues. In response, a major upgrade of the ICUMS infrastructure is currently underway,” the company said in a statement.
Beyond system upgrades, Ghana Link is working with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to improve the platform’s backbone infrastructure.
The collaboration aims to deliver faster and uninterrupted connectivity, ensuring smoother transactions for businesses operating through Ghana’s ports.
The company expects the comprehensive improvements, currently being executed around the clock, to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025.
Analysts note that a stable ICUMS is critical for Ghana’s economy. The platform not only facilitates cross-border trade but also plays a central role in government revenue collection. Disruptions, therefore, affect both business competitiveness and fiscal stability.
By improving efficiency and reliability, Ghana Link hopes to reduce the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, improve turnaround time for clearing goods, and enhance Ghana’s position as a competitive trade hub under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The company appealed to stakeholders for patience during the transition, emphasising that the upgrades will ultimately deliver a more solid, stable, and transparent system.
“Your confidence in ICUMS has been the bedrock of its success, and with these upgrades, we are confident the system will deliver faster, more reliable, and more efficient trade facilitation,” it said.
Ghana Link reaffirmed its commitment to building a world-class trade facilitation platform that supports private sector growth, secures government revenue, and strengthens Ghana’s role in regional commerce.
