TAGG Dismisses “Misguided” Criticism of ICUMS by New Voter Forum
The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by a group calling itself the New Voter Forum, describing the group’s recent comments on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) as “misleading” and “dangerously uninformed.”
At a press conference held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the New Voter Forum alleged that Ghana’s ports had been “captured” by private interests through the ICUMS platform—claims TAGG has flatly rejected.
“We deal with the ports daily. We live the realities—not fiction. And we can say with authority that ICUMS has significantly improved trade facilitation, not undermined it,” the group said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
TAGG, which represents the interests of traders across the country, accused the New Voter Forum of politicising port reforms and lacking the technical grounding to speak authoritatively on customs management and port operations.
ICUMS: Imperfect but Progressive
The traders’ group acknowledged that while the ICUMS platform may not be flawless, its contributions to Ghana’s trade efficiency and customs revenue mobilisation are undeniable.
According to TAGG, the system has:
- Reduced port clearing times, saving traders both time and money;
- Created a unified, one-stop platform for documentation and payments, limiting human interaction and reducing corruption;
- Enabled real-time valuation of goods, curbing under-invoicing and overcharging;
- Boosted revenue collection for national development;
- Introduced a central Data Warehouse for stakeholders’ reporting and analysis.
“Our members can now clear goods with fewer backdoor payments, predictable timelines, and enhanced transparency. That’s real progress,” TAGG noted.
Downtime Does Not Equal Failure
Addressing concerns over periodic system downtimes, the group stressed that ICUMS is not immune to the technical glitches experienced by any major IT platform, from banks to telecom operators. However, it emphasised that response mechanisms by Ghana Link and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) remain prompt and effective.
No Proof of Cronyism
TAGG also dismissed allegations that the platform was designed for rent-seeking by political actors, challenging the New Voter Forum to provide evidence to relevant authorities if such claims have any merit.
“Making baseless accusations damages Ghana’s image and risks discouraging investment,” the group warned, adding that ICUMS has received commendation from the World Customs Organisation and is being studied by other African nations as a model for trade digitisation.
Call for Constructive Dialogue
TAGG reiterated its commitment to continuous improvement of ICUMS and called on stakeholders to engage in evidence-based dialogue rather than media sensationalism.
“If ICUMS were to be dismantled today, the biggest losers would be traders and SMEs. We would return to the dark days of inefficiency, delays, paper trails, and bribery,” the statement warned.
The group further urged the media to consult technical experts when reporting on port reforms to avoid misleading the public.
TAGG called on the New Voter Forum to visit the ports, interact with actual users of the ICUMS platform, and gain a better understanding of the system’s operations.
“This is a time for economic rebuilding—not shallow political theatre. Let’s build, not break,” the statement concluded.
