News Guide Africa

Tag: Maritime traders

  • Maritime traders raises concern on Ghana’s customs management system

    Maritime traders raises concern on Ghana’s customs management system

    The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has raised concerns over growing inefficiencies in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), citing system slowdowns and frequent downtimes as more institutions are added to the platform.

    According to the Association’s Executive Secretary, Mr Sampson Asaki Awingobit, ICUMS performed smoothly when it was introduced in 2018 with around 68 institutions, helping to streamline cargo clearance and reduce delays at the ports.

    Today, however, the system serves more than 200 institutions, a scale-up that has coincided with recurring disruptions.

    “These breakdowns are creating unnecessary pressure on importers and exporters,” Mr Awingobit cautioned, warning that persistent inefficiencies would be unacceptable in an election year when traders are already under heightened pressure.

    The Association argues that the expanded participation in ICUMS is directly slowing clearance processes, with financial losses and supply chain risks looming for businesses.

    It has therefore urged Customs and IT service providers to act quickly to strengthen the platform and ensure its reliability.

    Mr Awingobit further encouraged trade facilitators to optimise system use during nighttime operations in order to ease congestion and prevent additional costs.

    Meanwhile, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operators of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has extended its deep appreciation to all stakeholders for their unwavering commitment, patience, and support as it continues to strengthen Ghana’s trade facilitation infrastructure. Its statement reads:

    “Over the past weeks, we have noted and fully acknowledged concerns regarding intermittent downtimes on the ICUMS platform.

    “As a company dedicated to excellence, we assure all stakeholders that these issues have received the highest priority and are being addressed decisively.

    “Working hand-in-hand with key stakeholders, our technical teams have identified the root causes of the challenges. In response, a major upgrade of the ICUMS infrastructure is currently underway.

    “This upgrade is specifically designed to expand the system’s capacity and resilience to handle the exponential surge in data traffic that comes with Ghana’s growing trade volumes.

    “Furthermore, Ghana Link is collaborating closely with Internet Service Providers to guarantee a more reliable and stable internet backbone for the ICUMS platform. This joint effort will ensure that all users experience smoother, faster, and uninterrupted service.

    “All things being equal, we anticipate that the comprehensive improvements being executed around the clock will be completed by the end of the 3rd quarter of 2025.

    “Once finalised, they will significantly enhance performance and eliminate the recurring issues experienced by stakeholders.

    “We humbly appeal to our cherished stakeholders, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and all partners in Ghana’s trade ecosystem to continue to bear with us during this crucial period.

    “Your confidence in ICUMS has been the bedrock of its success, and with these upgrades, we are confident that the system will deliver a solid, stable and fast user experience with reliability, efficiency, and transparency.

    “Ghana Link remains fully committed to providing a world-class trade facilitation system that empowers businesses, strengthens government revenue, and supports the growth of Ghana’s economy”.

     

  • GRA, NIA standoff over debt claims

    GRA, NIA standoff over debt claims

    Stakeholders of Ghana’s maritime industry has waded into the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Identification Authority (NIA) exchange over alleged unsettled debt calling for swift resolution.

    They fear further escalation of the situation could severely disrupt cargo clearance at the country’s ports. But, GRA has clarified that the said past transactions lack the necessary regulatory and governance approvals required for payment.

    GRA noted in a press release issued by the Communication and Public Affairs Department, that the so-called debt stems from a legacy arrangement made prior to 2025. It further expressed surprise over recent media reports and public statements by the NIA which alleged that GRA was disconnected from the NIA’s Identity Verification System (IVS) due to unpaid fees, emphasizing that, its operations are guided by transparency and compliance with governance protocols, in line with the current administration’s “reset” vision. As such, the Authority cannot act on transactions that fall outside regulatory frameworks.

    The release also revealed that the NIA has long operated desk offices within GRA premises nationwide, registering individuals and issuing Ghana Cards without paying rent or utility fees. Despite this, GRA insists it remains committed to inter-agency cooperation and ongoing high-level discussions aimed at resolving the issue.

    While GRA has identified procedural breaches and the absence of a formal service agreement, it reiterated its readiness to collaborate with NIA to integrate the Ghana Card into the tax system.

    However, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), while speaking at the Association’s 11th Anniversary celebration and the launch of its new website, underscored the urgent need for cooperation between the two state institutions to avert economic disruption.

    “Mr. Chairman, this development, as reported, raises serious concerns about data security and potential disruptions to critical services. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana urges the leadership of the Ghana Revenue Authority to take pragmatic steps to resolve this issue amicably with the NIA,” Samson Asaki Awingobit said.

    “This is especially crucial given the potential impact on businesses, particularly in the maritime trade sector. From a professional standpoint, if the NIA proceeds with deleting its data from the GRA server, it could severely disrupt port operations,” he added.

     

  • Bring back national shipping line to save the cedi – Freight Forwarders

    Bring back national shipping line to save the cedi – Freight Forwarders

    The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders is making a case for the reintroduction of a national shipping line, the Black Star Line.

    According to the institute, this will help bring competition amongst the various shipping lines while helping to address the issue of the depreciating cedi due to significant funds that are repatriated out of the country by these international liners.

    Speaking to Citi Business News, a member of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders Communication Team, Jacob Agyeman said the government ought to prioritise bringing back the national shipping line in the interest of the local currency.

    “Now we have AfCFTA, we can even take advantage of that. The government sets up Black Star line, then at least the transhipment cargoes will be transported by Black Star Line. The advantage here is you create employment for your people. You can even help stabilize this cedi that we are complaining about because most of these multinationals cause capital flight as at the end of the day they send their monies out of the country. If the Black Star line is here, the money stays here because if it makes $1,000,000 or $2,000,000, a chunk of it stays here.  It stabilizes the Cedi against the dollar.”

    He added that the commencement of the operations of Black Star Liine will also create jobs while regulating the sector.

    “I’m sure they may have policies in place, but the implementation is the issue. We must begin to see practicals, they must set it up, and it must work. And I believe this is the best moment for us to revive Black Star lines, create employment for your people, stabilize your cedi, and then create competition so that your people will get quality service. There’s no competition.”

    Ghana has not had a shipping line since the early 90’s when its Black Star Line folded up after some challenges with operating the entity.

    There have been many calls from various stakeholders for a national shipping line across successive governments, but not much has been done yet.