The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has strongly refuted claims made by two Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) regarding the performance and effectiveness of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), describing the allegations as inaccurate, misleading, and unsupported by facts.

In a statement responding to a recent press conference organised by the New Voter Forum (NVF) and Democratic Credentials Network Ghana (DCN-Ghana), the association said it found it necessary to set the record straight on what it described as unsubstantiated assertions concerning ICUMS and other trade facilitation interventions at Ghana’s ports.

According to the IEAG, as the foremost body representing the interests of importers and exporters in Ghana and a key stakeholder within the country’s international trade ecosystem, it has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of ICUMS since its introduction in June 2020 by the Government of Ghana through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The association noted that ICUMS was implemented to replace fragmented customs processes, reduce revenue leakages, improve transparency, strengthen compliance measures, and accelerate cargo clearance procedures.

“Today, ICUMS has successfully integrated customs processes, enhanced risk management systems, strengthened revenue assurance mechanisms, and improved stakeholder visibility across the international trade value chain,” the association stated.

IEAG rejected suggestions by the CSOs that ICUMS is a “dysfunctional system breeding national loss,” arguing that such claims are not supported by empirical evidence and contradict the experiences of many traders, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other industry players who rely on the system daily.

The association emphasised that since its deployment, ICUMS has played a critical role in modernising customs administration and improving efficiency at the country’s ports. It further noted that the system has enhanced accountability and facilitated smoother interactions among stakeholders involved in international trade