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The Importers and Exporters Association is urging for improvements to the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) instead of its discontinuation, highlighting its significant role in enhancing customs revenue and trade efficiency.
While concerns have been raised regarding the implementation of the Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) within ICUMS, the Association maintains that the system remains vital for revenue collection.
Statistics from 2024 show that ICUMS contributed to a revenue increase, with customs earnings rising to GHS 44.3 billion, up from GHS 30.6 billion in 2023.
Speaking at a press conference, Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Association, called on stakeholders to collaborate in refining the system. He clarified that the challenges associated with UCR were policy-related rather than faults within ICUMS itself.
> “It is crucial to emphasise that the concerns surrounding the UCR implementation are not specific to ICUMS but are instead matters of government policy. As such, addressing these challenges requires a broader policy dialogue at the governmental level,” he stated.
He further urged Ghanaians to see ICUMS as a system in development rather than one that should be discarded.
> “The journey toward a fully integrated and efficient customs management system is a marathon, not a sprint. ICUMS has already brought us closer to the finish line, and we must not abandon it midway. Let us remember that every great system evolves over time, and ICUMS is no exception.”
Appealing to both the public and policymakers, Mr. Awingobit stressed the importance of fixing existing issues rather than dismissing a system that has shown great promise.
> “We appeal to the hearts and minds of all Ghanaians to see ICUMS as a work in progress—a system that is evolving to meet the demands of a dynamic global trade environment. Let us encourage Ghana Link to fix the problems rather than succumb to the growing menace of discarding systems that have shown immense potential for our nation’s progress.”
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