The Honorable Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, has organized a high-level stakeholder forum to discuss operational issues related to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which is Ghana’s premier platform for facilitating trade.
During her address at the stakeholder engagement held in Accra, the Hon. Minister emphasized the dual aspects of ICUMS’s performance. She acknowledged that while the system has made significant contributions to enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and combating illegal activities at ports and borders, it still faces several operational challenges.
The forum gathered representatives from various ministries, departments, agencies, the Customs Division, freight forwarders, and private sector stakeholders, providing a venue for open discussions between the stakeholders and the service provider.
Ghana Link was assigned the responsibility to showcase the functionalities of ICUMS, outline the measures taken to resolve existing challenges, and clarify any outstanding issues.
Mr. Raymond Amaglo, the Director of Operations at ICUMS, reassured stakeholders that the company is committed to implementing a comprehensive upgrade of the system. He disclosed that by the conclusion of October 2025, the enhancements would bolster ICUMS’s stability, capacity, and reliability, thus minimizing the system downtimes that have often hindered port operations. “Our main objective is to ensure a smooth trade facilitation process while effectively mobilizing revenue for the government,” he stated.
Hon. Ofosu-Adjare expressed her gratitude to the stakeholders for their collaboration and urged Ghana Link to adhere to the agreed-upon November deadline for the necessary reforms. She also committed to working alongside the Minister of Finance to investigate solutions to the issues concerning the imposition of penalties and unauthorized charges on traders.
Launched in 2020, ICUMS was established to streamline customs procedures by integrating valuation, classification, risk management, and payments into a unified digital system.
The platform has played a crucial role in enhancing transparency and increasing government revenue collection. Nevertheless, sporadic downtimes and implementation challenges have led to criticism from freight forwarders, importers, and exporters, who contend that these inefficiencies detract from the overall benefits.
Ghana Link has reiterated its long-term dedication to ensuring that ICUMS functions as a world-class system that aligns with the government’s development objectives and bolsters the competitiveness of the private sector.
As Ghana’s trade volumes continue to grow under regional agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the effectiveness of customs management systems such as ICUMS will be vital in reinforcing the country’s status as a competitive center for trade and investment.
