Customs to embark on vigorous engagement with stakeholders on paperless port

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority is set to vigorously engage stakeholders to allay and address any misconceptions, anxiety and confusion that may arise as a result of the implementation of the paperless system which implementation date has been pegged at 1st September.

Commissioner of the Division Mr. Isaac Crentsil at a media briefing on the paperless port system earlier in the week assured all stakeholders that the division was more than ready to educate and sensitise the public and to ensure that all ambiguities regarding the system are addressed.

Some clearing agents last week embarked on a demonstration in the port of Tema against the implementation of the system, citing several reasons. But the commissioner noted that the benefits and advantages of the system far more outweigh any disadvantage that may arise.

According to him, attempts by the division to introduce the paperless system in 2012 did not materialise partly because some stakeholders did not cooperate with the division or did not see reason to buy into the idea. ‘’What is different now is that there is a strong political will and the focus that can make the seemingly impossible, very possible.

This time around, the government has made available, all that it takes in terms of expertise and the drive to make it possible’’ he argued. Mr. Crentsil opined that Ghana with the implementation of the system will be adhering to calls by the World Customs Organisation to go paperless, adding that the country stands to enjoy a lot of goodwill from the international community as one that adheres to international best practice.

‘’The business community will heave a sigh of relief from the bureaucratic bottlenecks that have bewitched the clearance processes at our ports of entry. The ease of doing business therefore should be able to put smiles on our faces’’ he pointed out.

He explained further that the paperless regime comes with a robust risk management process that will enhance the protection of government revenue. Mr. Crentsil said the introduction of the joint inspection of goods at the ports will automatically save time and cut off unnecessary checks that tend to exacerbate the challenges that traders, shippers and freight forwarders go through in the quest to clear cargo from the ports.

On his part, the commissioner general of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti opined that the focus of the Authority is to maximise state revenue, account for same, protect same and facilitate international trade.

‘’ We have and are ready to collaborate with all our strategic partners and stakeholders to develop the best revenue and trade enhancing systems that will put Ghana at the forefront of the continents desire to catch up with the rest of the world in the area of technological advancement’’ he added.

Other stakeholders who participated in the programme included the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, technical partners of the Customs Division WestBlue Consulting, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, the Ghana Union of Traders Association GUTA, the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders and GcNet.