The Association of Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG), a membership-based organisation comprising corporate licensed customs house agents with expertise in international freight forwarding, customs brokerage and clearance, transport, and logistics services, has held its 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) under the theme “Connect 24-The role of Customs House agents under the 24-Hour Economy.”

The AGM, which took place in Akosombo, brought together members from across the country as well as key stakeholders in Ghana’s trade and logistics sector to deliberate on the evolving role of customs house agents in driving the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.

Delivering the keynote address, the Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Mr. Goosie Tanoh, underscored the critical role of customs house agents in safeguarding national revenue and facilitating legitimate trade.

He cautioned against what he described as acts of economic sabotage, including the abuse of customs transit regimes, bonded warehouse systems, and auction processes through misclassification and undervaluation of goods. According to him, such practices undermine revenue mobilisation efforts and threaten Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda.

Mr. Tanoh expressed confidence that ongoing institutional integration, particularly through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), would enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for malpractice by promoting a seamless one-stop-shop clearing regime involving Customs, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and other regulatory bodies.

He further urged ACHAG’s leadership to uphold strict professional discipline and sanction any members found culpable of fraudulent conduct, stressing that the credibility of the profession is central to the success of the 24-hour economy.

Highlighting the government’s CONNECT24 initiative, a key pillar of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, Mr. Tanoh explained that the policy seeks to build an integrated multimodal logistics ecosystem linking farms, industrial parks, aggregation centres, ports, and airports.

He noted that strategic projects such as the Volta Economic Corridor and the development of Tamale as a regional air cargo hub would enhance Ghana’s competitiveness and strengthen its position under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

In his address, the outgoing President of ACHAG, Mr. Akwasi Serebour Boateng, emphasised that the 24-hour economy demands operational readiness from customs house agents, including investments in staffing, shift systems, and capacity building to deliver professional service excellence around the clock.

He decried the activities of unlicensed practitioners, describing them as a serious threat to the profession, government revenue, and unsuspecting importers. He reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to collaborating with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and other relevant authorities to curb such practices.

Mr. Boateng also disclosed that ACHAG members have benefited from structured training programmes in key areas of the profession, including the AfCFTA, to equip them to navigate the changing continental trade landscape.

Representing the Acting Commissioner of Customs, the Deputy Commissioner and Head of Suspense Regime at the Customs Division, Nana Birago Owusu Ansah, commended customs house agents for their contribution to revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation, urging them to uphold integrity in all their dealings.

Solidarity messages were delivered by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority, among others, all of whom lauded ACHAG’s role in strengthening Ghana’s trade and logistics ecosystem.

The 5th AGM reaffirmed ACHAG’s commitment to professionalism, compliance, and strategic partnership as Ghana advances its 24-hour economy and accelerated export development agenda.