GHANA

GCNet

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Manager | Historical Background | Services | Overview

The Ghana Single Window (GCNet):

• Allows for the lodgement and exchange of data and standardized information which fulfills all regulatory requirements with a single administrative document for all Customs Regimes.


• Was established following
  - concerns raised by Stakeholders on slow, cumbersome and expensive clearance procedures
  - government’s desire to facilitate trade and make Ghana the trade and investment hub in the West African sub-region.


• A Public Private Joint Venture Company was formed in November 2000 to manage the deployment.


• The first live customs declaration was processed in November 2002.

• Processing of Manifest and distribution
• Processing FCVRs and distribution
• Issuance and distribution of licenses, Permits and Exemptions by Regulatory bodies
• Electronic Valuation of Used vehicles
• Processing of Declarations and distribution
  - Standard Declaration
  - Head load Declaration (Simplified Declaration to capture activities of informal and/ or unregistered traders, Process eliminate Custom House Agents)
  
• Customs Release and Delivery Order
  - Allows freight terminals and shipping lines to receive Customs electronic declaration advising them of cargo due for examination
  - Allows shipping lines to send instructions to freight terminals advising them that cargo can be released
• Ship and Aircraft movement information over web portal
• Access to statistics by various Stakeholders using data mining tools

Objectives:

• Facilitate trade and clearance of goods through customs in a secured manner
• Enhance mobilization of trade related revenue for government
• Reduce malpractices associated with import/export trade
• Reduce transaction costs and delays trade operators encounter in clearing consignments through the ports

GCNet CONSISTS OF TWO COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEMS:

• THE TRADENET
  An EDI platform for transmission of electronic messages between trade operators and Customs on one hand and other Regulatory bodies on the other
• THE GHANA CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (GCMS)
  An automated system for processing all Customs operations

How does it work?

• Data is submitted to the Tradenet electronically in EDI format
• Tradenet interfaces GCMS to all Stakeholders by exchanging EDI files
• Tradenet also interfaces Stakeholders amongst themselves
• GCMS enables customs to perform all necessary customs related processing
• All data is hosted at Customs headquarters

CURRENT STATUS
Stations connected
These process about 98% of total declarations

• Two Seaports (Tema and Takoradi)
• Kotoka International airport
• Four land borders
  - Aflao on the Togo border
  - Elubo on the Cote d’Ivoire border
  - Kulungugu and Paga on the Burkina Faso border

BENEFITS
Importer/Exporter

• Faster clearance times
• More transparent and predictable processes
• Less bureaucracy

Customs

• Improved staff working conditions through upgraded infrastructure
• Substantial increase in customs revenue
• More professionalism

Government

• Substantial increase in government revenue. In the first year, import revenue grew by almost 50%. In subsequent years there has been an average growth of 23%

CHALLENGES

• Overcoming the human factor, institutional, attitudinal and infrastructural constraints required for a successful change management
• Ensuring high level of compliance among trade operators and declarants
• Overcoming the seeming reluctance of some regulatory agencies to interface with system to enhance trade facilitation
• Developing complementary electronic systems for other Trade related agencies (e.g. Port Cargo Management systems and MDA internal systems)
• Addressing infrastructural constraints especially at land borders.

Current system users

• Customs
• Port Authority
• Shipping Lines (55)
• Custom House Agents (700)
• Commercial Banks
• Freight Terminals
• Airport Freight Handling Operator
• Central Bank
• Oil marketing Companies
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
• Shipper’s Council
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies (28)
  e.g. - Ministry of Trade - Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning - Revenue Agencies Governing Board - Standards Board - Food and Drugs Board - Ghana Investments Promotion Centre - Minerals Commission - Environmental Protection Agency - Free Zones Board - Statistical Service - Narcotics Control Board

LESSONS LEARNT AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Strong support from government
• A balanced selection of complementary partners with unique strengths
• Absolute conviction by key players that project could work
• A financing model that is self- sustainable

It is possible to roll-out a complex system, with the right capabilities and approaches. The privatepublic sector partnership that was adopted has become a model for e-governance projects in Ghana.

Transit Tracking
Main Features

• Registration of Transit Vehicles and Importers Registration of Transit Vehicles and Importers
• Application of Seals to secure Cargo Application of Seals to secure Cargo
• Electronic processing of Transit Insurance Electronic processing of Transit Insurance Bonds Bonds
• Electronic tracking of cargo through GCMS Electronic tracking of cargo through GCMS and deployment of satellite tracking units

Transit- Satellite Tracking
Functionality : Information Matrix

Sub- consignment No • Vehicle No • Destination • Declarant • Entry / Exit Point • Attached Flag • Overdue Report Alerts • Static Alerts • Geo Fencing – Available but undergoing testing. Functionality

Note:

System has been operational since 2002 and in continuous development

Has become a reference in the region

Benefits have been substantial in terms of increase in Government revenue and reduction in clearance times