GCNet-UNI-PASS transition: We handed over all documents to GRA – GCNet speaks out

The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) has come out to debunk claims that it took away all transactional data which was due the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), to facilitate the smooth running of operations at the port.

In a press release sighted by GhanaWeb, GCNet stated categorically that it submitted all data from 2002 to May 31, 2020, before shutting down its operations for Universal Pass (UNI-PASS), now Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMs) to take over.

“GCNet has handed over all data from the year 2002 to May 31, 2020, to the GRA in an appropriate format, which is transformable, manageable, acceptable and transportable to any relational database management system for consumption and use in accordance with international acceptable standards, i.e. Comma Separated Values (CSV) format,” the release stated.

It further noted that there’s evidence of a confirmed receipt that shows they submitted all data to GRA.

Meanwhile, some importers, clearing agents and freight forwarders are rooting for the comeback of GCNet to continue working at the ports.

In an interview with GhanaWeb, they called on government to rather shutdown the UNI-PASS system and restore GCNet.

According to them, the newly introduced system - UNI-PASS has run their goods into demurrages, leading to extra costs, a situation which is of concern to them.

They also lamented the slow pace at which their goods are being cleared from the ports.

Ghana Link Services Limited, which has a 10-year contract with the Government of Ghana as a technical partner, contracted CUPIA of Korea to deploy its electronic customs management system, called Universal Pass (UNI-PASS) which is now known as the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), for Ghana’s trade facilitation.

Read below GCNet's press statement