Court strikes out case challenging West Blue's Single Window contract

Government can now go ahead and implement the Single Window Scheme at the ports from September as planned.

This is because an Accra Fast Track High court has thrown out the case filed by a clearing agent at Tema, against the implementation.

One Michael Kweku Djan, an employee of Breman Shipping Company Limited, was challenging government’s decision to engage West Blue Consulting to operate the scheme.

The writ was filed at an Accra High Court describing government’s decision to engage West Blue as discriminatory and a breach of the fundamental human rights of the applicant as enshrined in the 1992 constitution.

Mr. Djan wanted the court to declare that the single sourcing of the National Single Window and Risk Management System project in favor of West Blue violates aspects of the Public Procurement Act.

He was also seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Ministries of Trade and Finance to subject the implementation of the scheme to a competitive tendering to enable the applicant and his prospective partners and all other interested entities to participate in the tender.

But the court has struck out the case for non-disclosure of reasonable cause of action especially as the scheme is yet to begin.

The decision to engage West Blue emerged from a letter from the Chief of Staff dated 12^th May, 2015 directing the Finance Minister to formally engage the company to undertake the software implementation and support activities to the Ghana Revenue Authority and related agencies. It also includes a takeover of the functions of the Destination Inspection Companies on September 1 by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority following acceptance of the recommendations by the President.