The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has commenced a nationwide sensitisation exercise to educate shippers on the mandatory registration of importers and exporters on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), in line with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
The exercise, being carried out in collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Ghana Link Network Services Ltd., seeks to help stakeholders understand the registration process and how the electronic system will improve cargo clearance and support data collection for policy planning.
As part of the initiative, the GSA on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, organised a sensitisation programme for executives of freight forwarding associations at the Ghana Shippers’ House.
The engagement focused on promoting compliance with Section 26(1) of Act 1122, which requires all importers and exporters to register with the Authority before processing shipment transactions through the ICUMS platform.
Opening the programme, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Technical Services at the GSA, Mrs Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, highlighted the importance of the mandatory registration and urged freight forwarders to support the process by encouraging their clients to complete the registration to prevent disruptions in cargo clearance.
Officials from the GSA and Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. demonstrated the ICUMS registration process and addressed concerns raised by stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation.
During the discussions, freight forwarders appealed for an extension of the implementation deadline to Monday, August 31, 2026, to allow more time for stakeholder engagement and compliance.
Mrs Dauda Owu acknowledged the request and assured participants that management would consider the appeal and communicate its decision.
The meeting also addressed the implementation of the Container Administrative Charge (CAC), with the President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Mr Stephen Adjokatcher, and the Chairman of the GIFF Tema Chapter, Mr Johnny Mantey, urging freight forwarders to ensure importers comply with the approved GH¢720 charge.
They stressed the need for industry-wide cooperation to ensure the smooth implementation of the charge.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr Divine Agbeko, also called for continued collaboration among stakeholders to facilitate seamless cargo clearance and improve trade efficiency.
The sensitisation exercise forms part of the GSA’s efforts to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve stakeholder collaboration and promote efficient trade through the effective implementation of Act 1122 (2024).
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