One year since the implementation of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana says it has experienced significant improvement in its transactions at the ports.

There were agitations when it was initially introduced, as some stakeholders had concerns over the system, but it appears the dust has finally settled.

In an interview with Citi Business News, Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana indicated that the system has significantly enhanced business at the ports.

“They have been able to improve trade facilitation, clearance processes, reduction of time, and cost of doing business at our ports. One unique thing about them is that when they are about to service their system, ICUMS will just inform everybody in the industry.”

“Then ICUMS will get back to us to inform us that the maintenance is over and if truly you go and check, you will realise that it is true they have actually performed their task and the service is back and working.”

He further commended the managers of the ICUMS and urged them to continue with their good work so far.

ICUMS was deployed on June 1, 2020, and presently covers 135 Customs operational points across the country.

It replaced the then Ghana Customs Management System under GCNet and West Blue.

The introduction of the system was met with stiff opposition by some stakeholders, who had challenges with operating the system and called for it to be scrapped.