Ghana Community Network Service Limited (GCNet) is set to shut down its operations at the nation’s ports to finally give way for UNIPASS, now Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) to takeover single window operations at the port.
In a series of letters written to the existing vendors and various port stakeholders, the Acting Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has instructed that from Monday June 1, 2020 all transactions without exception in respect of import/export shall only be processed from ICUMS.
In view of this directive, a GCNet source has revealed that the company is in preparation to shut down in accordance with government’s directive in order to allow UNIPASS/ICUM take over single window operations at the various ports in this country, including Tema and KIA.
This will be the second time UNIPASS has attempted to take over the single window operations at Tema Port.
Meanwhile, a government delegation led by Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade and Industry, has met freight forwarders and other stakeholders and assured them of a smooth takeover by UNIPASS this time around. The meeting, according to sources, was successful and is seen as a major step in the change of guard from GCNet to UNIPASS.
The delegation was at the port to learn at first-hand the progress of work to ensure a smooth takeover.
“Of course, there will be challenges moving from one system to the other but it is important to appreciate and make the new system work seamlessly. It is important to work together. As stakeholders, they need to appreciate the essence of the change being implemented,” the minister said.
All terminal operators have been tasked to generate reports on the delivery order (DO) for the period of January 1 to May 31, 2020 to enabled for the migration of uncleared cargo details into ICUMS to enabled continuity of clearance.
