Ghana Link Network Services Ltd has secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification for its new Kumasi Tier IV Data Centre, which hosts the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), in a move described by stakeholders as a major boost to information security and operational resilience within Ghana’s trade and revenue ecosystem.
The certification, awarded by CertiTrust following an independent audit, validates the company’s Information Security Management System (ISMS) and confirms compliance with globally recognized standards for managing data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director at the presentation ceremony, Mrs. Cynthia Addy said the milestone goes beyond regulatory compliance.
“This is not just a certificate moment; it is a trust moment,” she stated. “In an environment that supports critical national trade and revenue operations, performance must be built on standards, clear controls, repeatable processes, strong governance, and measurable accountability. ISO 27001 confirms that we do not just talk about security; we live it, audit it, and continuously improve it.”
She assured stakeholders — including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, clearing agents, importers, exporters, shipping lines, airlines, and transport operators — that data processed through ICUMS remains secure.
“The data that powers Ghana’s trade is the lifeblood of our economy. We treat it with the highest levels of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This certification is a commitment that we will not become complacent,” she added.
Engineered for Resilience
Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Alvin Kwabena Ansah, disclosed that the Tier IV facility was designed to eliminate single points of failure and ensure uninterrupted operations for Ghana’s digital trade backbone.
“Our data centre was engineered for fault tolerance and business continuity,” he said. “We executed a seamless migration of critical systems with near-zero downtime and without service disruption. However, infrastructure alone was not enough. Through ISO 27001, we embedded structured risk management, strengthened access governance, integrated business continuity frameworks, and subjected ourselves to independent external audits.”
Dr. Ansah emphasized that certification marks the beginning of a continuous compliance journey.
“Certification is not a destination; it is a standard we are committed to maintaining. Ghana’s digital backbone is now resilient, secure, and globally benchmarked,” he noted.
Audit Affirms Compliance
Lead Auditor at CertiTrust, Mr. Erick Odea, described the certification process as rigorous and management-driven, requiring strategic oversight, documented controls, risk-based thinking, and sustained staff awareness.
“The journey toward compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is not a checkbox exercise,” he said. “It demands structured risk assessment, operational consistency, and leadership commitment. Our audit confirmed that Ghana Link’s Information Security Management System is effectively established, implemented, and maintained in alignment with the standard.”
He cautioned that the real value of the certification lies in daily operational discipline and continuous improvement amid evolving cyber threats.
Trade and Industry Impact
Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the certification strengthens confidence in Ghana’s customs administration framework and supports the country’s competitiveness agenda.
Addressing the gathering, she noted that predictable, reliable, and secure trade systems are critical to reducing business costs, improving compliance, and attracting investment.
“When clearance processes are predictable and the platform remains stable, exporters can meet shipping schedules, manufacturers can maintain production lines, and traders can avoid unnecessary storage costs,” she said. “A secure and well-managed customs platform signals seriousness and reassures the trading community that Ghana is committed to modern trade administration.”
The Minister added that stronger information security controls and improved traceability within ICUMS would enhance fairness in the trading environment by discouraging undervaluation and other practices that distort competition.
The certification for the Kumasi Tier IV Data Centre is valid until February 2029, subject to periodic surveillance audits to ensure continued compliance.
Ghana Link acknowledged the contributions of its internal engineering teams and technical partners, including Dell Technologies and Get4Less Ghana, in delivering the facility and supporting the audit process.
With this milestone achieved, the company says its focus now shifts to sustaining and strengthening its security posture as cyber threats evolve, positioning ICUMS as a secure and dependable gateway for Ghana’s trade and revenue administration.