UNIPASS: We can't criticise a policy that hasn't been implemented - Importers & Exporters

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Importers and Exporters of Ghana, Sampson Asaki says it cannot criticise the handing over of the single window port operations to Ghana Link and its overseas partner, CUPIA Korea, popularly called UNIPASS.

According to Mr Asaki, he cannot support the suspension of the UNIPASS deal, saying, about one-month space must be given for the implementation of the new system.

Freight Fowarders, Clearing Agents and other stakeholders in the country, have expressed displeasure at government’s decision to hand over the single window port operations to UNIPASS.

For instance, they were not surprise that GCNET and West Blue Consulting systems were still used for transactions when implementation began on Monday, 2 March 2020.

Mr. Asaki said: “Those who are calling for total suspension and other things I wont not subscribe to that. I think that I cannot criticise a policy when it has not been implemented; you can only criticise a policy when it’s been implemented. I heard as at 24th February, there was a publication by IMANI Ghana where they stated that UNIPASS has failed in Takoradi. We all know that the Ghana Customs had given indication that on that very 24th was when they were going to start the piloting; so, policy that have not roll, how do we monitor and critique it? I cannot criticise a policy that has not been implemented.

“But if my colleagues from the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, if they are asking that their members should be given proper adequate training before it starts, I think that I’m for them. We want to use this opportunity to appeal to UNIPASS that it’s important that, if it has not given it's agencies adequate training than it must be done before piloting can take place.”

He also challenged journalists to find out why West Blue Consulting and GCNET in particular whose contract was made during President Kufuor’s time was abrogated.

“The unfortunate thing media men/women are not asking is that, it was the NPP government during the auspices of Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten who was the then Trade Minister in 2002 or so brought in GCNET. Today, he sits at the same Ministry and think that 'GCNET go for a third party to come'. I expect the media to direct their questions to him, to ask him what happened”, said Mr. Asaki

UNIPASS has began piloting its system at some selected borders and the Takoradi Port.