GCNet, UNI-PASS transition: System would be needless if there's no upgrade for efficiency – GUTA

Following an announcement that the Ghana Community Network Service Limited (GCNet) will officially cease its operations at various ports today for UNI-PASS , now Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) to take over, the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) is hopeful the transition will be managed positively so it doesn’t have a toll on businesses.

President of the Association, Dr. Joseph Obeng in an interview with GhanaWeb indicated that by this new system, the clearing processes shouldn't be impeded in any way, and the cost of goods as well do not witness any additional charges.

If the above-mentioned needs of businessmen are not met, then bringing in a new system to check clearance at the ports will be needless, Dr Obeng said.

He noted that “It is not for us to tell Ghana Revenue Authority, the government for that matter what systems they have to put in place but they should also know that any system they are putting in place should come with efficiency and come to enhance on the previous one. If we do not see any of these then one can say that it was even needless for the new system to come. Once they are bringing a new system, what we are expecting is efficiency and the fact that it is going to enhance the way of doing business apart from the past”.

He added that though traders, business moguls are yet to experience the new system, GUTA requires efficiency to enhance on GCNet.

“We are yet to taste the new system…we also know that the GCNET was a very nice system, it didn’t give us any problem that’s why I am saying that if you are bringing a new one, all that we are expecting is to bring better efficiency and also to enhance on the past system we are using,” Dr. Obeng highlighted in an interview with GhanaWeb.

Meanwhile, this is the second time UNI-PASS is taking over GCNet to operate after facing several challenges at the beginning of their operations.