The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has called on the Government of Ghana to maintain sustained policy support across the trade ecosystem to build on recent improvements in trade performance, customs revenue mobilisation, and macroeconomic stability.
Addressing the media in Accra, IEAG’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, highlighted that while key reforms and market adjustments over the past year have created a more supportive environment for traders, consistency, inclusiveness, and long-term strategic policy alignment are essential to cement these gains and drive future growth.
Consolidating Recent Progress
IEAG acknowledged that several positive developments have begun to ease the cost of doing business for importers and exporters. These include:
Improvements in customs revenue, with revenues rising significantly year-on-year.
Enhanced trade facilitation reforms, such as the introduction of 24-hour terminal operations and measures to expand cargo throughput at major ports.
The removal of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy and adjustments in the Value Added Tax regime that have lowered tax burdens on traders within the 2026 fiscal reforms. The High Street Journal
Relative currency stability, which has reduced exchange rate risk and supported planning for importers and exporters. The High Street Journal
According to the Association, these measures have helped improve the predictability of the business environment and ease some operational constraints faced by the trade community.
Policy Support Must Be Sustained
Despite these positive indicators, IEAG stressed that sustained government support is necessary to preserve momentum and transform short-term wins into long-term commercial competitiveness.
“Policy consistency and stakeholder engagement are vital. Reforms should not be episodic but systematic, inclusive, and aligned with the realities of the international trade landscape,”
said Mr. Awingobit.
The Association emphasised that sustained policy support should include:
Continuous stakeholder consultation with trade bodies, customs operators, logistics partners, and private-sector representatives.
Clear integration frameworks for trade modernisation initiatives, ensuring that new technologies and systems align with established platforms such as the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).
Capacity building to deepen technical skills within customs and port institutions so that technological upgrades improve efficiency without increasing operational costs.
IEAG also reiterated its position that customs data — a strategic national asset — requires robust governance and protection in the face of modernisation efforts.
A Call for Collaborative Reform
IEAG emphasised that reforms affecting trade, especially at the ports and border infrastructure, should be undertaken with transparency, accountability, and mutual cooperation.
“As traders, we have seen what can be achieved through collaboration and reform, but the full potential of Ghana’s trade sector will only be realised when policy actions are sustained, predictable, and jointly shaped by government and stakeholders,”
Mr. Awingobit added.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside government ministries, trade agencies, regulatory authorities, and private-sector partners to ensure Ghana’s importers and exporters remain competitive and resilient within the West African and global markets.
About IEAG
The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is the leading representative body advocating for fair trade policies, regulatory transparency, and sustainable business environments for Ghana’s trade community. Through policy engagement, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, IEAG continues to champion equitable and efficient trade practices nationwide
