• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • ChannelOne TV
  • Infographics
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Watch ChannelOneTV
  • Videos
  • Citi Verify
  • Elections
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Watch ChannelOneTV
  • Videos
  • Citi Verify
  • Elections
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
No Result
View All Result

GRA wants GCNet’s system restored at ports over challenges with UNIPASS

Nerteley NetteybyNerteley Nettey
April 29, 2020
Reading Time: 3 mins read
ShareShareShareShare

The Ghana Revenue Authority says it is in talks with GCNet to restore its systems following the challenges witnessed at the ports with the newly Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), popularly called UNIPASS.

UNIPASS was introduced by the government to replace the single window platform– Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS)– from GCNet and West Blue Consult, at the ports.

GRA started using the system on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, amidst challenges.

Freight Forwarders at the Tema Port were agitated because of their inability to pass declaration to get their goods out of the port following the implementation of the UNIPASS system yesterday.

In a notice sighted by Citi News, the GRA says talks are far advanced to get GCnet back to work today, Wednesday, April 29, 2020, while the challenges with UNIPASS are fixed.

“It has come to the notice of the Management of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) that Customs House Agents/declarants are facing some challenges processing their Customs documents on the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS). Management of GRA as part of efforts resolve these challenges is having consultations with the management of GCNet for the restoration of the GCNet GCMS services.”

“The discussions are almost concluded and Management is hopeful that the GCNet GCMS will be operational by Wednesday, 29 April 2020,” GRA added in the notice.

 

 

The UNIPASS/ICUMS system

The UNIPASS/ICUMS platform is a new port clearing system that processes documents and payments through one window: a departure from the previous system where valuation and classification and risk management and payment were handled by different entities.

CUPIA Korea, which is assisting the Customs Division to implement the UNIPASS system, has described it as an enhanced single window system for trade facilitation.

The company which is expected to address key challenges at the ports also replaces the existing service providers, the Ghana Community Network Services (GCNet), which has operated for nearly 17 years, and West Blue Consulting.

Rejection of UNIPASS

Following the introduction of the system, there has been strong opposition from various stakeholders within the logistics space and other civil society organisations on the need to stick with the existing single window in order not to severely disrupt trade and revenue flows.

Policy think-tank, IMANI Africa, earlier this month petitioned government to temporarily suspend the operations of UNI-PASS and allow GCNET and West Blue to operate for the remainder of the year to rake in revenue in excess of GHS10 billion for the country considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade activities.

Also, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders questioned the efficacy of system hours to the officially outdooring of the system at the country’s ports.

Critics of the UNIPASS have also cited the presumed distortions that the new system will bring to the shipping community; a claim rejected by the managers of the platform.

Issues with UNIPASS system could cause revenue losses – Institute of Freight Forwarders

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders is predicting revenue losses if the concerns raised by stakeholders on the inefficiencies of the UNIPASS system are not addressed.

The President of the Institute, Edward Akrong, warns that the delays associated with the piloting of the system at the Takoradi Port could cause serious problems at the Tema port if not checked before implementation.

“If these delays continue and all these issues are not resolved, it will have serious effects on revenue collection. It is what it is. Things will have to be done right. It is a very simple matter. Once things are done with speed, revenue comes in and things will flow,” he said.

Tags: GCMSGRAICUMSUNIPASS
Share458TweetSendSend
Previous Post

Newspaper Headlines: Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Next Post

MTN Ghana CEO Selorm Adadevoh adjudged best CEO in MTN group

Related Posts

Business

GRA to implement GHC1 Fuel levy July 16

July 2, 2025
Business

Analysts urge GRA to review 3% flat tax rate for small businesses

July 1, 2025
Slider

Modified Taxation to be rolled out July 1, anchors govt revenue drive

June 29, 2025
Business

GRA to roll out modified tax system for informal sector on July 1

June 27, 2025
Featured

Five more arrested in GRA-SML corruption scandal as OSP deepens investigations

June 25, 2025
Featured

Real-time procurement monitoring key to fighting corruption – Kosi Dedey

June 25, 2025
Next Post

MTN Ghana CEO Selorm Adadevoh adjudged best CEO in MTN group

ADVERTISEMENT
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana

CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana's leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.

Archives

Download App

Download

Download

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • ChannelOne TV
  • Infographics

© 2024 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Watch ChannelOneTV
  • Videos
  • Citi Verify
  • Elections

© 2024 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.