The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has welcomed recent improvements in customs revenue performance and broader economic indicators, while expressing strong reservations about the proposed deployment of an artificial intelligence (AI) system at the country’s ports.
Addressing the media in Accra, IEAG’s Executive Secretary Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit said that the Association supports modernisation and efficiency-enhancing reforms — but emphasised that innovation must be transparent, credible, and compatible with existing national systems that have been built and sustained over years.
Customs Revenue Performance: A Positive Trend
IEAG highlighted official data showing that customs revenue increased to approximately US$3.18 billion as of September 2025, up from about US$3.11 billion in the same period of 2024. This growth, the Association said, reflects the positive impact of operational reforms, including extended terminal hours and improved cargo handling procedures at major ports. News Ghana
“This revenue growth demonstrates that we can achieve meaningful gains through collaborative efforts, improved trade facilitation, and strengthened systems,” said Mr. Awingobit.
The Association also acknowledged other macroeconomic improvements that have eased the cost of doing business for traders, such as the removal of the COVID-19 levy, adjustments to the VAT regime, relative stability of the cedi, declining inflation, and reduced interest rates — all of which have boosted confidence among importers and exporters.
Concerns over Proposed AI Deployment at Ports
Despite these encouraging developments, IEAG raised significant concerns regarding the government’s intention to introduce an AI-based system at Ghana’s ports — a move publicised in recent reports relating to 2026 trade and revenue mobilisation plans. These reports suggest a Cyprus-registered company, Truedare Investments Limited, is linked to the proposed system, set to begin operations in January 2026.
IEAG underscored that such a critical system must undergo thorough stakeholder consultation, strong transparency measures, and clear technical validation before adoption. The Association further stressed that the existing Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) already manages customs declarations, trade values, and revenue records for all imports, making it a strategic national asset.
“We support technological advancement, but not at the expense of data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the integrity of Ghana’s trade systems,” Mr. Awingobit said.
“Allowing a foreign entity to operate without a proven track record or clear integration pathway could expose our systems to unnecessary risk.”
IEAG pointed out that previous discussions about AI at ports have highlighted the technology’s potential to improve revenue and reduce leakages, but also emphasised the importance of capacity building and proper integration with existing platforms. Ghanamma.com
Key Principles IEAG Is Advocating
In its statement, IEAG outlined several principles it believes must underpin any technology reform in Ghana’s ports:
Full stakeholder consultation, including trade associations, port operators, and customs officials
Clear safeguards for data ownership and privacy, especially for sensitive customs data managed by ICUMS
Confirmed technical capacity and experience of any third-party technology partners
Strengthened local capacity and training to ensure that Ghanaian customs personnel can fully leverage any new systems
Transparency in procurement and implementation processes
Balance Between Innovation and Security
IEAG reiterated that the objective of modernising Ghana’s ports — including exploring technology like AI — is shared by many in the trade community. But the Association firmly believes that innovation must never override the principles of sovereignty, accountability, and national security.
“Our goal isn’t to reject progress, but to ensure progress is responsible, inclusive, and in Ghana’s best long-term interest,” Mr. Awingobit concluded.
About IEAG
The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is dedicated to advocating for fair, transparent, and sustainable trade policies. Through engagement with government bodies, industry stakeholders, and international partners, IEAG promotes a competitive and secure trading environment that benefits Ghana’s economy and its trading community.
