Ghana Link refutes claims of non-operational weighbridges at Tema port

Ghana Link Network Services Ltd has rejected claims that weighbridges under the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) at Tema Port were non-operational during a recent ministerial visit.

The company described the assertion, by an Accra daily publication, as “inaccurate and misleading.”

The controversy follows a visit by the Minister for Roads and Highways,  Kwame Governs Agbodza, and the Minister for Transport,  Joseph Bukari Nikpe, to Tema Port.

Reports from the visit suggested that the weighbridge system was inactive, raising concerns over enforcement and trade compliance at one of the country’s key logistical hubs.

In a statement, Ghana Link categorically refuted these claims. “The weighbridges at Tema Port were and are fully operational even at the time of the visit. The assertion that the system was inactive is false,” the company said.

According to the ICUMS operator, the minister’s inquiry was not about whether the system was working but rather about enforcement.

‘’Mr. Nikpe observed that some trucks were bypassing the weighbridges and sought clarification on why not all vehicles were being weighed,” the statement read.

The company explained that the current process remains in a pilot phase, which allows certain trucks to bypass the weighbridges temporarily.

“The process is currently in the piloting phase, which is why certain trucks were not yet required to pass through the weighbridges. This measured approach ensures a free flow of traffic and smooth transition as the system moves toward full-scale implementation soon,” Ghana Link noted.

The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ghana’s trade infrastructure, particularly regarding measures to curb overloading and enhance the efficiency of goods movement.

The Tema Port weighbridge system is a key component of broader reforms aimed at strengthening customs processes and ensuring regulatory compliance across the country’s major transport corridors.

Concerns over axle weight compliance and overloaded vehicles were also addressed. The company stated that a data-sharing mechanism between Customs, the Ghana Highway Authority, and Port Authorities is being developed to improve enforcement once the system is fully operational.

“Ghana Link explained that Customs was seeking to engage with Ghana Highway Authority with Port Authorities to establish a seamless data-sharing mechanism on axle weight compliance once the system is fully live,” the release stated.

Ghana Link emphasised its commitment to efficiency and regulatory compliance in Ghana’s trade and logistics sector, encouraging media outlets to ensure accuracy in reporting.

“We urge media outlets to engage in fact-based reporting to avoid misinformation that could undermine public confidence in national infrastructure initiatives,” the statement added.

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