Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has convened a high-level forum to address persistent concerns with the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), a trade facilitation platform that has improved transparency at the ports, but continues to draw criticism.
Speaking at the stakeholder engagement in Accra, Ofosu-Adjare acknowledged the system’s dual record, noting that while ICUMS has reduced costs, improved efficiency, and curbed illegal activity at borders, operational bottlenecks remain. “ICUMS has brought significant gains, but several issues remain unresolved, and these must be addressed with urgency,” she said.
The meeting, which brought together government agencies, the Customs Division, freight forwarders, and private sector representatives, provided a platform for open dialogue with service provider Ghana Link. The company was asked to demonstrate system functionality, outline steps already taken to improve performance, and clarify unresolved concerns from traders.
Raymond Amaglo, Director of Operations at ICUMS, said a comprehensive system upgrade will be rolled out by the end of October 2025 to improve stability, capacity, and reliability. “Our priority is to deliver a seamless trade facilitation process while ensuring effective revenue mobilization for government,” he told participants, adding that frequent downtimes at ports would be significantly reduced.
The minister urged Ghana Link to meet the agreed November deadline and said her ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to resolve concerns over penalties and unauthorized charges. “We remain committed to reforms that protect traders while safeguarding government revenue,” she said.
ICUMS, introduced in 2020 to consolidate customs procedures, integrates valuation, classification, risk management, and payments into a single digital system. The platform has helped boost state revenue and improve oversight, but has faced criticism from freight forwarders and importers who argue that downtime and inefficiencies often negate its benefits.
Ghana Link reaffirmed its long-term commitment to upgrading ICUMS into a system that meets international standards, supports government’s fiscal agenda, and strengthens the competitiveness of the private sector.
