The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called for sustained government policy support to consolidate recent gains in the ports and trade sector, particularly in foreign exchange availability, targeted concessions for local businesses and continued reforms to enhance port competitiveness.
The appeal was made at a press conference in Accra addressed by the Executive Secretary of the Association, Mr. Samson Awingobit Asaki, where the IEAG presented its year-in-review of developments in port operations, revenue mobilisation and the broader macroeconomic environment.
The Association acknowledged improvements in the business climate, citing relative stability of the Ghanaian cedi, declining inflation and reduced interest rates as key factors contributing to a more predictable operating environment for importers and exporters.
It reported that customs revenue rose to more than US$3.179 billion as of September 2025, up from about US$3.108 billion over the same period in 2024, attributing the increase to enhanced trade facilitation and the performance of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
While noting the revenue gains, the IEAG said intermittent technical challenges with ICUMS had affected operational stability.
However, it commended ongoing collaboration with system operators to resolve the issues, including the establishment of a new central data workspace to improve system resilience.
The Association further observed that reforms such as the introduction of 24-hour terminal operations had improved cargo handling capacity and throughput, strengthening the competitiveness of the Tema Port as a regional trade hub.
On fiscal measures, the IEAG welcomed the removal of the one per cent COVID-19 Health Levy and adjustments to the Value Added Tax regime under the 2026 reforms, describing them as steps that would ease cost pressures on traders and support business recovery.
Touching on currency developments, the Association said the appreciation of the cedi against the US dollar had reduced foreign exchange pressures on importers, particularly in relation to freight and port charges.
The IEAG also raised concerns about reports of a proposed artificial intelligence-driven system for Ghana’s ports. While supporting port modernisation, it stressed that any new system must be credible, transparent and fully aligned with existing national platforms, especially ICUMS.
It cautioned that customs data constituted a strategic national asset and should be protected to preserve data sovereignty, prevent revenue leakages and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
The Association called for broad stakeholder engagement, clear integration frameworks and capacity building for Ghanaian customs and technical personnel to ensure that technological upgrades improved efficiency without increasing the cost of doing business.
It also urged the Government to maintain policy consistency and transparency in reforms affecting the ports and trade sector, stressing that sustained collaboration with stakeholders was essential to building a resilient, efficient and globally competitive trade environment.
