GCNet to shut down operations at ports on June 1 as ICUMS takes over

Ghana Community Network Service Limited (GCNet) will cease operations at the country’s ports on June 1, 2020 to pave the way for UNIPASS, now Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), to take over the single window operations.

It will be the second time ICUMS will be attempting to take over the single window operations at the country's ports.

Acting Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has instructed existing vendors that from Monday June 1, 2020 all transactions without exception in respect of import/export shall only be processed from ICUMS.

According to the Business and Financial Times newspapers, its sources at GCNet source revealed that the company is in preparation to shut down in accordance with the government’s directive in order to allow UNIPASS/ICUMS take over the single window operations at the various ports, including Tema and KIA.

Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, has also met freight forwarders and other stakeholders and assured them of a smooth takeover by UNIPASS this time around.

The Minister admits that there will be challenges moving from one system to the other but said every effort must be put in to make the new system work seamlessly.

All terminal operators have also been tasked to generate reports on the delivery order (DO) for the period of January 1 to May 31, 2020 to enable for the migration of uncleared cargo details into ICUMS to facilitate continuity of clearance.