CSOs question government's commitment to fight corruption over alleged port irregularities

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has questioned the commitment of the John Dramani Mahama administration to the fight against corruption, especially its flagship Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, alleging that the government's response to concerns over Ghana's port operations is inconsistent with its stated fight against corruption and the recovery of state resources.

The groups, led by the New Voter Forum (NVF) and Democratic Credentials Network Ghana (DCN-Ghana), said they were "scandalised" that despite growing public debate over alleged irregularities within the country's port sector, the government appeared unconcerned, raising questions about whether what they described as "dirty" port deals enjoyed tacit approval of the government despite the principles underpinning ORAL.

Addressing the media, the coalition stated that its concerns were not based on speculation but on evidence gathered through assessments of operations at Ghana's ports. The organisations argued that if the government is committed to the objectives of ORAL, allegations relating to the management of port services should be subjected to the same level of scrutiny as other public sector investigations.

According to the CSOs, the concerns centre on the implementation of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the management of port disinfection services, transparency in revenue collection and the wider impact of these practices on government revenue, traders and other port stakeholders.

They maintained that these issues were matters of legitimate public interest requiring open scrutiny and constructive engagement rather than defensive reactions from some stakeholders.

The coalition criticised what it described as attempts by certain port stakeholders to defend existing arrangements instead of addressing the substantive concerns being raised. According to the groups, the focus should be on protecting the national interest and improving accountability within the port sector rather than safeguarding institutional or financial interests.

The CSOs said the hostile response to demands for greater transparency only reinforced the need for independent investigations into the operations of the country's ports. They argued that genuine reforms are achieved through dialogue, evidence-based assessments and a willingness to acknowledge operational shortcomings where they exist.

The allegations build on concerns first raised by the New Voter Forum during a press conference held on May 27, 2025, under the theme "The Systemic Capture of Ghana's International Trade Infrastructure: The Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) Conundrum and the Grand Scheme of Crony Capitalism."

During that briefing, the organisation alleged that the implementation of ICUMS departed from established governance procedures. It claimed that although the system was introduced under a contract signed in March 2018, important conditions outlined by the Economic Management Team, including comprehensive system testing and independent stress assessments, were not fully satisfied before the platform was rolled out nationwide in June 2020.

According to the Forum, a scheduled Economic Management Team meeting expected to review the system's readiness before the transition never took place, yet implementation proceeded. The organisation argued that the circumstances surrounding the rollout raised serious concerns about compliance with due process.

The CSOs further alleged that the system has experienced frequent technical challenges, resulting in disruptions to cargo clearance operations and delays in business activities. They claimed that these operational weaknesses have created opportunities for revenue leakages, increased costs for importers and exporters and contributed to inflationary pressures across the economy.

The coalition also expressed concern over what it described as institutional silence surrounding the management of the system. It alleged that concerns raised by some frontline customs officers had not received adequate attention, while individuals questioning aspects of the system had allegedly faced professional consequences.

According to the CSOs, these developments extend beyond administrative shortcomings and have implications for Ghana's economic governance and trade competitiveness. They argued that the integrity of the country's trade infrastructure is essential for revenue mobilisation and investor confidence.

To address the issues, the organisations reiterated their call for an independent international audit of ICUMS, public disclosure of all contracts and fee structures relating to the system, and a parliamentary inquiry into its procurement, operational performance and revenue implications.

They also renewed calls for the establishment of an independent Trade Systems Regulatory Commission to oversee Ghana's digital trade infrastructure and recommended stronger oversight of all port-related concession arrangements.

The coalition further called for a comprehensive review of port disinfection services and urged the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Shippers Authority and Ghana Revenue Authority to disclose revenue flows, contractual obligations and performance indicators associated with both the disinfection services and ICUMS.

The CSOs maintained that President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to fighting corruption through Operation Recover All Loot would ultimately be measured by the government's willingness to investigate allegations wherever they arise, including within Ghana's ports. They insisted that failure to subject the concerns to independent scrutiny would continue to fuel public questions about whether the objectives of ORAL are being applied consistently across all sectors of the economy.