International supply chain systems conference begins

Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - The First National Single Window Conference to showcase the country's approach towards the establishment of international supply chain is underway in Accra.

The single window is a system of governance in which traditional structures of government are transformed into new arrangements that best serve the needs of citizens and businesses.

The four day conference involves a wide expanse of academic and practical work including the evolution of the single window, World Trade Organization facilitation agreement, best practices and institutional arrangements for establishing a single window and experiences from other countries like Nigeria.

Mr Ebo Barton Oduro, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama said the system would complement government's effort in facilitating the processes of trade in the country.

He said under the approach, citizens and businesses will receive international trade services through a single interface to various stakeholders.

Mr Oduro said the system would help address inefficiencies in the service delivery and enhance transparency and reduction of corruption associated in trade related activities.

He said government has responded to the industrial needs arising out of globalization and continued growth in trade volumes, sensitivity of trade to costs, geographical mobility of trade flows and the proliferation of trade arrangement.

Mr Oduro said as the industry is growing impatient with inefficient and outdated border procedures, government has led the drive to create conditions that would enable it to follow modern logistics practices leading to predictable flows in the international supply chain.

He said government would continue to build a sustainable national single window environment for all agencies both public and private and urged all to be fully involved while feasibility studies are put in place to create a realistic framework for future guide.

Mr George Blankson, Commissioner General, Ghana Revenue Authority, said the journey started in September 2015.

He said the first phase started with the launch of the re-Arrival Assessment Reporting System that provides effective import verification, enhances fiscal planning and encourages transparency and promotes investor confidence.

He said the system from the beginning to end instituted sound and reliable data governance framework for effective reporting, information and performance management, as well as ensure that trader documentation is well assessed, classified and valued before a certificate is generated.

Mr Blankson said the Custom Division is recognized for the key economic role it plays in the management of international supply chain, providing social protection, maintaining streams of revenue and trade facilitation and generating statistics for policy making.

Other dignitaries present include Mr Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport; Mr Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance; Fiffi Kwettey, Minister of Food and Agriculture; and Mr Murtala Mohhammed, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

GNA