The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has welcomed recent gains in customs revenue mobilisation and macroeconomic stability but has raised serious concerns over plans to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven system at Ghana’s ports.
Addressing a press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said while the IEAG supports port modernisation, any digital reforms must be transparent, credible, and fully aligned with Ghana’s existing customs infrastructure, particularly the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
Presenting a year-in-review of port operations, Mr. Awingobit disclosed that customs revenue rose to US$3.179 billion as at September 2025, compared to US$3.108 billion in 2024. He attributed the growth to improved trade facilitation measures and the continued deployment of ICUMS, despite intermittent technical challenges earlier in the year.
He noted that operational reforms such as 24-hour port operations have boosted cargo throughput and enhanced the Tema Port’s competitiveness within the West African sub-region.
Beyond port performance, the IEAG commended broader macroeconomic developments, including the removal of the 1 per cent COVID-19 levy, VAT adjustments, exchange-rate stability, declining inflation, and lower interest rates. According to the Association, the relative appreciation of the cedi and easing inflationary pressures have helped reduce the cost of doing business for traders.
However, the Association expressed strong reservations over reports of a proposed AI-based port system, allegedly to be implemented by Truedare Investments Limited, a Cyprus-registered company. Mr. Awingobit said available public records do not indicate any verifiable expertise or proven track record by the company in port automation or AI-driven customs systems.
The IEAG warned that the proposed system is expected to rely heavily on ICUMS data, which it described as a critical national asset containing customs declarations, trade values, and revenue records. Granting access to such sensitive data to a newly incorporated foreign entity, the Association cautioned, raises concerns about data sovereignty, cybersecurity risks, system duplication, possible revenue leakages, and increased costs to traders.
By Philip Azu
