Thursday, 29 October 2026

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Thursday, 29 October 2026

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Ghanaian press · Organization

Integrated Customs Management System

Electronic customs platform operated by Ghana Link, used to automate cargo clearance and shipper registration in Ghana's ports.

2026-05-112026-10-29

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Integrated Customs Management System

Every mention in the Ghanaian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
19 OctJoy Online
… rmation panel on the theme, “From Tax Informatisation to Smart Taxation: The Ghanaian Experience and Shared Paths for Belt and Road Jurisdictions.” Ms Appau-Klu identified three major developments in Ghana’s transition: the introduction of the Integrated Customs Management System …
GRA touts GH¢1bn AI revenue boost at Jakarta tax forum
10 OctJoy Online
… However, the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) was temporarily unavailable, affecting the processing of the payment and the issuance of an official receipt. …
GRA blames system failure for delay in issuing receipt over passenger’s customs duty
7 OctJoy Online
… It is also required to review the data trails in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), including UCL records, gazetting processes, and gate-out logs associated with the affected bills of lading. …
GRA forms 9-member committee to probe alleged missing containers at Tema Port
September 2026
29 SeptJoy Online
… It noted that, according to the FDA’s published procedures, its Centre for Import and Export Control (CIEC) operated at the Tema Port, and permit control was integrated into the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS). …
IEAG calls on FDA to resolve delays in import code issuance
17 SeptJoy Online
… The prosecution says checks on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) identified Fresna Commodities Ltd as the exporter, with Amanor’s telephone number listed as the contact. …
Kwabenya Court denies bail to six over suspected 3.9-tonne cocaine shipment
14 SeptJoy Online
… Has NACOC been granted full access to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) to profile and flag high-risk shipments in real-time? …
NACOC’s cocaine suspects arrest commendable, but it cannot run on ‘charity’ to fight drug cartels
August 2026
20 AugJoy Online
… In a press statement issued on Thursday, August 20, GRA said the challenge, which began on Friday, August 14, has affected payment transactions initiated through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), and Ghana Integrated Ta …
Technical challenges affecting tax payments are being resolved—GRA
20 AugDaily Guide
… He welcomed the introduction of the Publican AI System in early 2026 to complement the Integrated Customs Management System at the nation’s ports, saying the technology had contributed to revenue growth of more than US$300 million. …
Fidelity Bank Calls For Stronger Trade Support
20 AugJoy Online
… In Ghana, the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) was introduced to modernise customs operations by replacing fragmented legacy systems with a unified digital platform. …
The Algorithmic Gavel: Analysing automated customs valuation, ICUMS and the rule of law in international trade
14 AugJoy Online
… He welcomed the introduction of the Publican AI System in early 2026 to complement the Integrated Customs Management System at Ghana’s ports, noting that it had already contributed to revenue growth of over US$300 million, as evidence of what the right technology partnerships can …
Fidelity Bank advocates stronger systems to unlock Ghana’s trade and enterprise potential

Business

GRA reports GH¢1bn AI-driven customs revenue gain in April

The News

The Ghana Revenue Authority says artificial intelligence used to detect customs undervaluation generated an additional GH¢1 billion in revenue in April 2026 alone. The authority presented this finding at the seventh Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum in Jakarta, highlighting Ghana's digital tax reforms including the Integrated Customs Management System, Ghana Card integration, and the Modified Taxation Scheme.

19 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 19 October

GRA reports GH¢1bn AI-driven customs revenue gain in April
The Ghana Revenue Authority says artificial intelligence used to detect customs undervaluation generated an additional GH¢1 billion in revenue in April 2026 alone. The authority presented this finding at the seventh Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum in Jakarta, highlighting Ghana's digital tax reforms including the Integrated Customs Management System, Ghana Card integration, and the Modified Taxation Scheme.
19 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 10 October

GRA says system failure delayed customs receipt for passenger
The Ghana Revenue Authority says a GH¢807.68 customs duty assessed on a passenger's luggage at Accra International Airport was duly accounted for, with preliminary investigations finding that a temporary system failure disrupted payment processing and prevented immediate issuance of an official receipt.
10 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 7 October

GRA forms committee to investigate missing containers at Tema Port
The Ghana Revenue Authority's Commissioner General has established a nine-member investigative committee to probe allegations that 28 containers disappeared, were transferred, or removed without authorization at Tema Port during customs clearance. The containers allegedly contained commodities including cyanide, condensed milk, sardines, alcohol, textiles, pharmaceuticals, black pepper and tomato paste, with some reportedly offloaded to private warehouses or moved from the port without owners' knowledge.
7 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 29 September

IEAG urges FDA to speed import code and permit issuance
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called on the Food and Drugs Authority to urgently resolve delays in issuing import codes and permits for regulated consignments at ports, which have prevented some importers from completing clearance processes and taking delivery of cargo.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 17 September

Kwabenya court denies bail to six in suspected cocaine export case
Six persons accused of involvement in exporting approximately 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine from Ghana to France via Tema Port have been denied bail by Kwabenya Circuit Court. Four of the accused are linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority and face allegations of irregularities in the Customs scanning process that allowed the containers to be cleared and exported.
17 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 14 September

NACOC arrests drug suspects, but agency lacks resources to fight cartels
Following the arrest of three suspects linked to Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers after a $260 million cocaine seizure in France, Joy Online argues that while NACOC's success is commendable, the agency operates without adequate funding, vehicles, or port equipment to effectively combat international drug cartels.
14 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 20 August

GRA resolves technical issues affecting tax payment platforms
Ghana Revenue Authority has assured taxpayers that technical challenges affecting tax payments through ICUMS, ITAS, and GITMIS platforms since August 14 are being addressed. The payment processing issue does not affect taxpayers' ability to file tax returns, though some transactions may experience delays.
20 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Fidelity Bank urges trade system reforms to support entrepreneurs
Fidelity Bank has called for stronger stakeholder collaboration, harmonised trade systems, and targeted institutional support to remove structural barriers limiting the growth of Ghanaian traders and entrepreneurs, particularly women. The bank's director of banking operations identified poor data quality and fragmented customs systems as major obstacles to trade growth in Ghana and the region, and advocated for greater harmonisation of customs regimes across neighbouring countries.
20 August 2026 · Daily Guide →
Ghana's AI customs system raises rule-of-law concerns
Ghana's Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) uses artificial intelligence and pre-programmed valuation data to automate customs decisions, but the practice of overriding importers' documentary evidence raises legal questions about compliance with tax law, WTO valuation rules, and due process principles.
20 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 14 August

Fidelity Bank urges trade system reform to support Ghana entrepreneurs
Fidelity Bank has called for stronger stakeholder collaboration, harmonised trade systems, and targeted institutional support to remove structural barriers holding back Ghana's traders and entrepreneurs, particularly women. Senior leaders highlighted data quality and fragmented customs systems as pressing obstacles to trade growth, and noted that the effectiveness of artificial intelligence in transforming commerce depends on quality data.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 7 August

GSA launches nationwide campaign for mandatory shipper registration
The Ghana Shippers' Authority has begun nationwide sensitisation of shippers on mandatory registration on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) in accordance with the Ghana Shippers' Authority Act, 2024, with officials from the GSA, GRA Customs Division, and ICUMS explaining how the electronic system will ease cargo clearance and support policy data collection.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 1 August

Ghana's trade surplus triples to GHS148.3 billion in 2025
Ghana's international trade surplus more than tripled in 2025, driven by record gold earnings and strong cocoa and petroleum exports, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. Total trade increased 20.1 per cent to GHc654.7 billion, with exports of GHc401.5 billion against imports of GHc253.2 billion.
1 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 9 July

GRA allocates 18 confiscated truckloads to school feeding
Ghana's Revenue Authority intercepted 18 truckloads of transit cargo suspected of diversion into the local market and, on the Finance Ministry's directive, allocated them to the National School Feeding Programme. An investigation uncovered documentation fraud, under-declaration of goods, tariff misclassification, and possible identity fraud.
9 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 8 July

GRA donates confiscated cooking oil to school feeding programme
The Ghana Revenue Authority has donated 39,256 jerry cans of vegetable cooking oil, seized in February following an investigation into customs fraud, to the National School Feeding Programme. The investigation of 18 trucks declared as transit cargo from Togo to Niger uncovered falsified trade documentation, under-declaration of goods, and incorrect tariff classification.
8 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Thursday 2 July

Container evacuation delays at Tema Port disrupt operations
Shippers complained at a Ghana Shippers' Authority meeting that delays in moving containers from Meridian Port Services Terminal 3 to inland depots are prolonging cargo clearance, causing unnecessary rent and demurrage charges even when importers have met statutory requirements. The delays are affecting supply chain efficiency and increasing operational costs for businesses.
2 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana port stakeholders pledge to tackle high business costs
Key agencies in Ghana's shipping and logistics sector have committed to addressing problems driving up the cost of doing business at the country's ports, following a stakeholder forum convened by the Ghana Shippers' Authority. Issues raised included port congestion, inspection delays, bureaucratic processes, documentation fraud, corruption and informal charges.
2 July 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Thursday 11 June

Chinese shoe imports exceed $40m, dominate Ghana market
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.
11 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Tuesday 9 June

Cargo-tracking fee proposal re-emerges through Transport Ministry
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.
9 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana Link denies CSO allegations of ICUMS platform dysfunction
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.
9 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Cargo-tracking fee scheme re-emerges via Transport Ministry
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.
9 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →

Monday 8 June

Frozen foods exporters oppose reintroduction of Smart Port Note system
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.
8 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Friday 5 June

MCGG warns unverified port claims risk reform efforts
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.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Frozen Foods Association opposes Smart Port Note reinstatement
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.
5 June 2026 · The Chronicle →
EFFAG opposes Smart Port Note reintroduction, citing cost burden
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.
5 June 2026 · Business & Financial Times →
Ghana Link denies ICUMS downtime claims, demands proof
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.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →
EXIM Frozen Foods Association opposes Smart Port Note reintroduction
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.
5 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 11 May

Institute warns of GH¢600m fuel tax losses since 2020
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.
11 May 2026 · Joy Online →