Register by March 31 or face sanctions from April 1 – Sam George to Courier Operators

The government has given courier service operators nationwide until March 31, 2026, to regularize their operations or risk facing sanctions, as authorities move to tighten regulation in the fast-growing logistics and delivery sector.

The directive requires all operators to register on the newly introduced Integrated Courier and Logistics Management System–Ghana (ICOLMS-Ghana), a digital platform designed to strengthen oversight of the courier industry while supporting the country’s expanding e-commerce ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch of the platform on Thursday, March 12, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the government had granted operators a short window to comply with the new requirements.

“The grace period begins today, March 12, and runs until March 31. Within these 19 days, whether you operate as a company or as a single delivery rider, you must register on the ICOLMS-Ghana platform,” he stated.

According to the Minister, the directive applies to all courier operators, including companies and independent delivery riders who operate within the logistics and parcel delivery space.

He added that companies already operating in the sector must also integrate their internal operational systems with the new ICOLMS-Ghana platform within the same period.

The Minister warned that authorities would begin strict enforcement immediately after the deadline, with non-compliant operators facing regulatory penalties.

“After March 31, enforcement will commence in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service. There will be no moratorium and no excuses. I will not intervene,” he emphasised.

Samuel Nartey George explained that earlier enforcement actions against unlicensed courier operators had been suspended in August 2025 to give stakeholders time to prepare for the transition to the digital regulatory system.

However, he noted that with the introduction of ICOLMS-Ghana, operators now have the tools needed to comply with the law, making further delays unacceptable.

The new platform is expected to improve monitoring within the courier and logistics sector while promoting efficiency, accountability, and safety in parcel delivery services across the country.

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