Certification affirms internationally audited information security controls, continuity planning, and risk governance for Ghana’s trade and revenue backbone

Ghana Link Network Services Ltd has announced that its new Kumasi Tier IV Data Centre, which hosts and supports operations of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, an internationally recognised benchmark for information security management.

The certification, awarded by CertiTrust following an independent audit, validates Ghana Link’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) and confirms the organisation’s structured approach to safeguarding data confidentiality, integrity and availability across critical operational processes.

“This is not just a certificate moment, it is a trust moment,” said Mrs Cynthia Addy, speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd. “In our environment, performance cannot depend on effort alone. It must be built on standards, clear controls, repeatable processes, strong governance and measurable accountability. ISO/IEC 27001 confirms that we do not just talk about security; we live it, we audit it, and we improve it continuously.”

Ghana Link said the certification strengthens stakeholder assurance across the national trade ecosystem, including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, clearing agents, importers and exporters, shipping lines, airlines, transport operators, and other government ministries and agencies that rely on ICUMS for daily trade facilitation and revenue processes.

“Our message to stakeholders is simple: your information is safe with us,” Mrs Addy added. “The data that powers Ghana’s trade through ICUMS is a lifeblood of the economy, and we treat it with the highest levels of confidentiality, integrity and availability. This certification is our commitment that we will never be complacent.”

Providing technical details of the milestone, Dr. Alvin Kwabena Ansah, Chief Technology Officer of Ghana Link, said the new Data Centre was engineered for high availability, fault tolerance and continuity supported by structured information security governance aligned with ISO/IEC 27001:2022.

“Our Data Centre was engineered for fault tolerance and business continuity, eliminating single points of failure and ensuring operational stability for Ghana’s digital trade ecosystem,” Dr. Ansah said. “We executed a seamless migration of critical systems with near-zero downtime without service disruptions. But infrastructure alone wasn’t enough. Through ISO 27001, we embedded structured risk management, strengthened access governance, integrated business continuity, and subjected ourselves to independent external audits.”

Dr. Ansah emphasised that certification is not the endpoint. “Certification is not a destination for us. It is a standard we now commit to maintaining. Ghana’s digital backbone is resilient, secure and globally benchmarked.”

Mr. Erick Odea, Lead Auditor at CertiTrust, said the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 journey demands leadership commitment, consistent controls and a security culture, not mere documentation.

“The journey toward compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is not a simple administrative exercise or a checkbox activity,” Mr Odea said. “It requires strategic direction from top management, structured risk assessment, documented controls, staff awareness and operational consistency. I’m pleased to state that the audit demonstrated Ghana Link’s Information Security Management System is effectively established, implemented, maintained and aligned with the standard.”

He cautioned that the real value lies in sustained discipline. “The true value of ISO 27001 lies not in the certificate displayed on the wall, but in daily risk-based thinking, secure operational practices, staff awareness, and ongoing monitoring and improvement.”

Strategic significance for trade

Ghana Link said the certification supports the government’s broader trade facilitation agenda by reinforcing system dependability, strengthening confidence in customs processes, and improving Ghana’s attractiveness for trade-linked investment and supply chains.

The company also acknowledged the contributions of key partners and technical collaborators, including Dell Technologies and Get4Less, as well as internal engineering and operations teams who supported the audit readiness, control implementation and systems migration.