Integrated Customs Management System — customs processing platform operated by Ghana Link Network Services, subject to allegations of dysfunction disputed by the operator.
… Ntim claimed that while local manufacturers importing raw materials such as synthetic rubber sheets, glue and leather chemicals are subjected to what he described as a compounded 36.1 percent tax burden through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), importers of finish …
… The development has revived a central policy question within the logistics community around whether the country requires a third-party cargo information system when it already operates the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the country’s established national single win …
Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operators of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has taken note of recent claims made by some unknown groups calling themselves Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) alleging that the ICUMS platform is dysfunctional and causing disrupti …
… The development has revived a central policy question within the logistics community around whether the country requires a third-party cargo information system when it already operates the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the country’s established national single win …
… The Association maintained that the Smart Port Note duplicates functions already performed by existing systems, including the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the Ghana Integrated Cargo Clearance System (GICCS). …
… His remarks follow recent concerns raised by a coalition of CSOs questioning the effectiveness of port disinfection services and the reliability of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which they claimed was disrupting trade flows. …
… The Association argued that the proposed system would merely duplicate functions already performed by the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), while increasing the cost of doing business at the country’s ports. …
… Concerns Over Duplication and Bureaucracy The association maintained that the Smart Port Note duplicates functions already performed by existing systems, including the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the Ghana Integrated Cargo Clearance System (GICCS). …
… Concerns Over Duplication and Bureaucracy The association maintained that the Smart Port Note duplicates functions already performed by existing systems, including the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the Ghana Integrated Cargo Clearance System (GICCS). …
The Ghana Leather and Footwear Manufacturers Association says more than 70 percent of footwear sold domestically between 2024 and 2025 was imported from China, with imports worth over US$40 million while local exports remained below US$1 million. The association alleges that cheap imports have wiped out over 30 percent of market share for locally made footwear over the past decade and forced many producers out of business, and accuses some importers of exploiting customs loopholes by declaring finished products as rubber waste to evade higher duties.
The Ghana Leather and Footwear Manufacturers Association says more than 70 percent of footwear sold domestically between 2024 and 2025 was imported from China, with imports worth over US$40 million while local exports remained below US$1 million. The association alleges that cheap imports have wiped out over 30 percent of market share for locally made footwear over the past decade and forced many producers out of business, and accuses some importers of exploiting customs loopholes by declaring finished products as rubber waste to evade higher duties.
A renewed attempt to introduce a cargo-tracking system—involving Advance Cargo Information, Electronic Cargo Tracking Note, or Smart Port Note technologies—has raised concerns in the trade and logistics sector that it could introduce additional mandatory charges on importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and consumers. The policy, previously shelved at the Ministry of Trade, is now being pursued through the Ministry of Transport, with Inter-Ocean Maritime and Logistics Institute Limited reportedly seeking official backing for the service.
Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, operator of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has rejected claims by civil society organisations that the platform is dysfunctional and disrupting port and customs operations, calling the allegations baseless and unsupported by verifiable evidence. The company stated that CSO claims of "frequent downtimes" lack specific dates, incident references, affected transactions, or technical evidence.
A renewed attempt to introduce a cargo-tracking regime through Ghana's Ministry of Transport has triggered fresh concerns in the trade and logistics sector. The proposed system—described as Advance Cargo Information (ACI), Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), or Smart Port Note (SPN)—could introduce additional mandatory charges affecting importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and consumers, after a similar effort failed at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.
The Exim Frozen Foods Association of Ghana has urged the Ministry of Transport to reject efforts to reintroduce the Cargo Tracking Note/Smart Port Note system, arguing it would impose significant additional costs on businesses and consumers without delivering measurable benefits to trade facilitation.
The Media Coalition for Good Governance has cautioned that unsubstantiated allegations by civil society organisations about Ghana's port operations risk undermining ongoing reforms in trade facilitation and public health security. The coalition's convener stressed that constructive reform must be rooted in facts and data rather than claims without factual backing.
The EXIM Frozen Foods Association of Ghana has strongly opposed attempts to reintroduce the Cargo Tracking Note/Smart Port Note, warning it could impose an annual burden of €187.2 million to €382.8 million on importers and consumers. The Association urged the Transport Minister to reject the proposal, arguing the abandoned system was needless, duplicative, and expensive.
The Exim Frozen Foods Association of Ghana has urged the Ministry of Transport to reject efforts to reintroduce the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), also known as the Smart Port Note (SPN), arguing the system would impose significant additional costs on businesses and consumers without delivering measurable benefits to cargo clearance or trade facilitation.
Ghana Link Network Services has rejected allegations of frequent disruptions to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), stating the claims lack verifiable evidence and calling on accusers to provide details of specific outages. The company says the system has improved stability following completion of a new data centre and continues to support trade facilitation and customs processing.
The Exim Frozen Foods Association of Ghana has urged the Ministry of Transport to reject reintroduction of the Cargo Tracking Note/Smart Port Note system, arguing it would impose significant additional costs on businesses and consumers without delivering measurable benefits to cargo clearance or trade facilitation.
The Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy has raised alarm over what it says are massive revenue leakages in Ghana's petroleum sector, reporting that more than 200 million litres of fuel cannot be accounted for between 2020 and 2025, resulting in tax revenue losses exceeding GH¢600 million. The institute cites weak monitoring systems at ports and throughout the petroleum distribution chain and calls for stricter enforcement, including real-time fuel tracking systems.