A traders’ association has pushed back against criticism of key service providers operating at Ghana’s ports, accusing two civil society groups of making unsubstantiated claims that could undermine confidence in the country’s trade ecosystem.

The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) on Thursday dismissed allegations made by the New Voter Forum (NVF) and Democratic Credentials Network Ghana (DCN-Ghana) regarding port disinfection services and the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), describing their assertions as “false, misleading and unverified.”

In a statement, TAGG questioned the authority of the two groups to comment on specialised trade and port operations, arguing that neither organisation is directly involved in customs clearance, freight forwarding, shipping, logistics, or cargo handling.

“While civil society organisations undoubtedly have the right to contribute to national discourse, the realities of trade facilitation are best understood and evaluated by those who interact daily with these systems,” the statement said.

The group said the positions advanced by NVF and DCN-Ghana did not reflect the experiences of traders, importers, exporters and freight forwarders who rely on port services for their businesses.

TAGG also criticised NVF for previously supporting the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), now known as the Smart Port Note (SPN), a policy it said had faced strong opposition from industry stakeholders and successive governments.

The association strongly defended the operations of LCB Worldwide Ghana Limited, the company responsible for disinfection services at Ghana’s ports, insisting the service remains vital in preventing disease outbreaks and protecting national biosecurity.

According to TAGG, its members have benefited from the service for years without experiencing operational shortcomings.

The group further praised LCB for supporting market sanitation efforts, including the fumigation and disinfection of markets and trading centres several times each year.

“These are not abstract claims; they are outcomes our members experience in their daily operations,” TAGG said.

The association challenged NVF and DCN-Ghana to provide scientific evidence to support allegations that port disinfection services were ineffective, arguing that references to an “independent assessment” and an “undercover team” were not accompanied by verifiable data or expert findings.

“Public policy cannot be driven by conjecture, innuendo and self-generated conclusions masquerading as evidence,” the statement added.

TAGG also defended ICUMS, describing the customs management platform as a critical tool that has modernised customs administration, improved transparency, enhanced revenue collection and streamlined cargo clearance processes.

While acknowledging occasional technical challenges, the group said such issues were common to major digital platforms and had been addressed through engagement between authorities, stakeholders and system operators.

The association expressed concern over what it described as a coordinated effort to discredit existing service providers within Ghana’s trade environment, suggesting that some interests may be attempting to create opportunities for competing operators.

“The trading community will not countenance any attempt to destabilise critical trade facilitation systems through narratives that are far removed from operational realities,” TAGG said.

The group called on organisations interested in port reforms to engage directly with recognised industry stakeholders before making public pronouncements on issues affecting trade and commerce.

TAGG said it remains committed to supporting reforms that improve efficiency, transparency and competitiveness within Ghana’s trade sector while resisting efforts that advance “narrow interests under the guise of public advocacy.”