The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has commended Ghana Link Network Services Ltd for attaining ISO certification for its upgraded data centre, describing the achievement as a major boost to Ghana’s trade architecture and revenue mobilisation efforts.
The commendation was delivered at an ISO Certification Presentation Ceremony held in Accra to formally present certification for Ghana Link’s newly certified operational processes following the migration of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) onto a modern, purpose-built data centre.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Minister underscored the importance of reliability and predictability in trade systems, noting that businesses thrive when processes are efficient and trustworthy.
“Our traders, manufacturers and agribusinesses succeed when the system is reliable,” she said.
“Importers, exporters and producers depend on timely and seamless clearance processes to meet delivery timelines, manage costs and sustain production.”
ISO Vertification Strengthens Trade and Revenue Systems
The newly certified data centre, which has completed the ISO certification process with validity until February 2029, underwent rigorous assessments to ensure information security, system availability and operational resilience.
According to Hon. Ofosu-Adjare, the certification confirms that the facility meets tested international standards in critical operational areas.
“In plain terms, this means the system has cleared measures to protect information and keep operations secure and available. For a platform that supports daily trade and national revenue, this assurance is essential,” she stated.
She explained that a stable and dependable customs platform lowers the cost of doing business, supports fair competition and enables firms to plan with confidence, thereby advancing government’s broader trade and industrial agenda.
Curbing Unfair Trade and Protecting Local Industry
The Trade Minister highlighted the role of strengthened controls and improved traceability under ICUMS in curbing undervaluation and other unfair trade practices that undermine government revenue and distort competition.
“When duties are avoided, some goods enter the market at prices honest traders and local manufacturers cannot match,” she noted. “By improving traceability, the system helps protect legitimate businesses and supports local industries to compete fairly.”
She added that reliable customs processes are particularly critical for agribusiness, where delays directly affect product quality, shelf life and access to markets. Reduced clearance times, she said, ease cash-flow pressures on small and medium-sized enterprises and improve efficiency across the value chain.
Commitment to public–private collaboration
Placing the milestone within the broader framework of government–private sector collaboration, Hon. Ofosu-Adjare referenced the recent Presidential Dialogue with the private sector, reaffirming government’s commitment to maintaining Ghana’s competitiveness.
“A predictable and reliable customs environment is central to export growth and industrial expansion,” she said, urging continuous improvement to sustain the ISO standards and ensure long-term system dependability.
In an interview with the media after the ceremony, the Minister expressed excitement about the expanded data centre and its impact on trade facilitation.
“It is going to serve the import and export community better. It is a one-stop shop at the harbour to ensure processes are seamless,” she stated. “With this ISO certification, we expect greater efficiency in our export and import space, and it will help government mobilise the needed taxes for national development.”
Strengthening Ghana’s Trade Architecture
The Minister commended the leadership and technical team of Ghana Link, as well as officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, for their role in modernising Ghana’s trade facilitation systems.
The ceremony marked not only the celebration of international certification but also a renewed commitment to building a secure, stable and reliable trading system that supports Ghanaian enterprises and strengthens the country’s economic growth trajectory.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
