The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has raised red flags over Parliament’s approval of an agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and TRUEDARE INVESTMENTS LIMITED for a “digital customs tracking” and AI audit system.
TAGG says the deal, meant to supplement the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) “at no additional cost to the state”, needs urgent scrutiny for transparency and value for money.
The TRUEDARE agreement aims to track imported cargo containers, supplement ICUMS, address tracking weaknesses, and boost revenue. But TAGG questions why a new system is needed when ICUMS (implemented in 2020) already provides end-to-end customs data management, risk assessment, and cargo tracking to reduce costs and leakages. If gaps exist in ICUMS, TAGG wants all technical analyses and justifications made public.
TAGG isn’t opposed to tech advancement but warns against opaque contracts that transfer costs to traders and consumers. “Ghanaian traders deserve full transparency and accountability over costs, risks, and impacts,” they said.
TAGG’s investigation into TRUEDARE INVESTMENTS LIMITED, the company behind the customs tracking deal with GRA, has raised more concerns. Incorporated in Cyprus on Dec 28, 2024, with a share capital of just EUR 1,545, TRUEDARE’s business objects don’t even mention customs IT, AI, or digital inspection. The company’s shareholders are EU residents, but there’s no public evidence of TRUEDARE designing or operating large-scale customs systems elsewhere.
TAGG questions why Parliament would entrust a critical national digital mandate to a newly incorporated, minimally capitalised offshore entity without full disclosure. They want to know: Does TRUEDARE have the technical capacity and credible references? Who’s behind the company? Why were they chosen over other providers?
And what’s with the “no cost to the state” claim? TAGG says someone’s gotta pay – likely Ghanaian traders, importers, and consumers through new fees or higher prices. Are there hidden costs in the contract? What’s the real economic burden?
TAGG is questioning why the gov’t is duplicating ICUMS, Ghana’s award-winning e-customs system that’s got modules for risk management, audit, cargo tracking, and valuation. Instead of strengthening ICUMS with AI/analytics, they’re introducing a parallel system with TRUEDARE, a new offshore company with no clear track record in customs tech. TAGG wants answers: What’s wrong with ICUMS? Why the rush? What about data security and accountability?
TAGG’s demands:
– Publish the full TRUEDARE contract and financial model
– Independent audit of ICUMS and TRUEDARE for value-for-money
– Clarify who pays – traders, consumers, or taxpayers?
– Halt TRUEDARE implementation until transparency is achieved
ICUMS was meant to reduce costs and boost revenue – and it’s worked, with 150% revenue growth. Now a new company with no history is getting a contract “at no cost to the state”? TAGG says no to opaque deals that hurt traders and consumers.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region
