The President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Mr David Kwadwo Amoateng, has criticised the Finance Committee of Parliament for approving a contract for the digitalisation of port operations with what he described as an inadequately qualified company.

Mr Amoateng questioned the capacity and credibility of Truedare Investments Limited, arguing that the company lacks a proven track record in port digitalisation.

He alleged that the company was incorporated only last year and is “not worth five thousand Euros,” accusing the Finance Committee of failing to conduct proper due diligence before endorsing the agreement between Truedare and Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA).

Speaking in an interview with Mac-Jerry Osei Agyemang on Accra-based Neat FM on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the TAGG President cautioned President John Dramani Mahama to be mindful of the actions of some appointees, singling out the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Mr Isaac Adongo, for criticism.

Mr Amoateng stressed that TAGG is not opposed to the digitalisation of port operations, but maintained that the agreement represents an unnecessary duplication of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).

According to him, ICUMS has, over the year,s effectively served the needs of all stakeholders at the ports.

He specifically questioned the recently approved digital customs tracking agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Cyprus-registered Truedare Investments Limited, arguing that the proposed system duplicates existing functions already embedded in ICUMS.

Although Parliament was reportedly informed that the Truedare platform would introduce artificial intelligence-driven tracking and audit tools at no additional cost to the state, Mr Amoateng dismissed the claim, remarking that “there is no Father Christmas at the ports.”

He explained that the Truedare agreement was presented as a solution to plug revenue leakages by enabling real-time tracking of container contents, improving valuation and classification, and enhancing pre- and post-arrival audits.

However, he insisted that these functions are already being performed under the ICUMS platform.

Mr Amoateng called for greater transparency and accountability in approving major contracts, warning that poorly assessed agreements could undermine efficiency at the ports and impose hidden costs on traders and consumers.