The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has dismissed allegations made by the New Voter Forum (NVF) and Democratic Credentials Network Ghana (DCN-Ghana) concerning port health services and trade facilitation systems, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and inconsistent with the experiences of stakeholders within Ghana's trade sector. In a statement issued in response to a recent press conference by the two organizations, TAGG questioned their expertise and authority to make definitive assessments on matters relating to customs clearance, freight forwarding, shipping, logistics, cargo handling, and international trade operations.
According to the Association, while Civil Society Organizations play an important role in public accountability and policy discussions, evaluations of trade facilitation systems should be informed by the experiences of industry players who engage with such services on a daily basis. “The realities of trade facilitation are best understood and evaluated by those whose businesses depend on their effectiveness,” TAGG stated. The group argued that the positions advanced by NVF and DCN-Ghana do not reflect the views of traders, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders who rely on the country's trade infrastructure. TAGG also referenced the New Voter Forum’s previous support for the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), later rebranded as the Smart Port Note (SPN), a policy it said was strongly opposed by industry stakeholders and subsequently abandoned by successive governments.
Addressing concerns raised about port disinfection operations, TAGG expressed strong support for the continuation of sanitary control measures at Ghana’s ports, describing them as critical to public health protection and national biosecurity. The Association commended LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited for what it described as the professional execution of its mandate at the country’s ports.
According to TAGG, its monitoring teams regularly observe activities at the ports and have not identified any significant shortcomings in the company’s operations. The Association further noted that LCB has collaborated with trader groups to undertake periodic disinfection and fumigation exercises in markets, shops, and trading centres across the country, contributing to improved hygiene standards and reduced risks of pest infestations and disease outbreaks. TAGG criticized NVF and DCN-Ghana for relying on what it described as unsupported claims, including references to an “independent assessment” and an “undercover team” without presenting verifiable evidence, scientific evaluations, or expert findings. The Association urged organizations participating in public policy debates to ensure that their claims are backed by credible data and subjected to rigorous scrutiny before being presented to the public.
The traders' group also defended the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), rejecting suggestions that the platform is ineffective. According to TAGG, ICUMS has significantly improved customs administration by enhancing transparency, strengthening revenue assurance mechanisms, reducing manual processes, and accelerating cargo clearance procedures.
While acknowledging that occasional technical challenges have occurred, the Association maintained that such issues are common to large-scale digital systems and have been addressed through continuous improvements and stakeholder engagement. “The trading community has witnessed first-hand the significant improvements that have accompanied the deployment of ICUMS,” the statement noted. TAGG further expressed concern over what it described as persistent attacks on key service providers within Ghana’s trade ecosystem. The Association suggested that sustained criticism of existing trade systems and operators could potentially create opportunities for competing interests, although it did not provide specific evidence to support that assertion. It cautioned against efforts that could undermine confidence in critical trade facilitation infrastructure through narratives that, in its view, do not accurately reflect operational realities.
The group called on organizations interested in port reforms and trade facilitation to engage directly with recognized industry associations and stakeholders before making conclusions on matters affecting national commerce. TAGG reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms that enhance efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness within Ghana’s trade sector while opposing initiatives it believes do not advance the interests of traders and the broader economy.