Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has organized a senior-level meeting with relevant parties to tackle issues related to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), with the goal of improving trade processes.
At the Stakeholder engagement event in Accra, where representatives from ministries, departments, agencies, the Customs Division, freight forwarders, and private sector entities gathered, the Minister addressed the dual aspects of ICUMS’s performance. He pointed out that although the system has greatly enhanced efficiency, lowered costs, and aided in combating illegal activities at ports and borders, some operational issues still persist.
Launched in 2020, ICUMS was created to streamline customs processes by combining valuation, classification, risk assessment, and payments within one digital platform.
The system has played a key role in enhancing openness and increasing the collection of government income.
Nevertheless, occasional system outages and deployment issues have drawn complaints from freight forwarders, importers, and exporters, who claim that these inefficiencies diminish the advantages.
Ghana Link was assigned to showcase the capabilities of ICUMS, outline the measures implemented to tackle issues, and offer explanations for unresolved matters.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare praised the involved parties for their collaboration and called on Ghana Link to fulfill the November deadline set for the reforms.
She also promised to work with the Minister of Finance to examine actions that would resolve issues regarding the application of fines and unauthorized fees on merchants.
Head of Operations at ICUMS, Raymond Amaglo, confirmed to investors that the organization is in the process of implementing a thorough system enhancement.
He stated that by the end of October 2025, the upgrades would enhance ICUMS’s stability, capacity, and dependability, thus minimizing system outages that have often hindered port activities.
“Our main focus is to provide a smooth trade facilitation process while guaranteeing efficient revenue generation for the government,” he further stated.
A Ghana Link representative emphasized the company’s long-term dedication to making ICUMS a top-tier system that aids the government’s development goals and enhances the private sector’s competitiveness.
With Ghana’s trade volumes growing through regional agreements including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the effectiveness of customs management systems such as ICUMS will stay essential in enhancing the nation’s role as a competitive center for trade and investment.
The gathering also functioned as a venue for transparent discussion among involved parties and the service provider.
A DAILY Guide Report
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