GRA Wants GCNet’s System Restored As UNIPASS Woes Deepens On First Day

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it is in talks with GCNet to restore its systems following the challenges witnessed at the ports with the new Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), popularly called UNIPASS.

UNIPASS was introduced by the government to replace the single window platform, Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS), from GCNet and West Blue Consult, at the ports.

GRA started using the system on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, amidst challenges.

Freight Forwarders at the Tema Port were agitated because of their inability to pass declaration to get their goods out of the Port following the implementation of the UNIPASS system yesterday.

In a notice sighted by Citi News, the GRA says talks are far advanced to get GCnet back to work today, Wednesday, April 29, 2020, while the challenges with UNIPASS are fixed.

“It has come to the notice of the Management of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) that Customs House Agents/declarants are facing some challenges processing their Customs documents on the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS). Management of GRA as part of efforts resolve these challenges is having consultations with the management of GCNet for the restoration of the GCNet GCMS services,” the notice added.

The UNIPASS/ICUMS system

The UNIPASS/ICUMS platform is a new port clearing system that processes documents and payments through one window: a departure from the previous system where valuation and classification and risk management and payment were handled by different entities.

CUPIA Korea, which is assisting the Customs Division to implement the UNIPASS system, has described it as an enhanced single window system for trade facilitation.

---citinewsroom