No need to change ports revenue collection system – GCNet touts existing framework

The Deputy Managing Director of Ghana Community Network Limited (GCNet) has said there is no need reinventing the wheel by having another company duplicating what they are already delivering efficiently.

Emmanuel Darko said they will continue to introduce a new measure that will enhance revenue collection at the countries ports.

“We will do our part and engage people to let them know the functionalities that are there. We have noticed that people come to say we can do this and that without knowing what is already available.

“Whatever functionality already exists. And it would be at no additional cost to government so as far as I am convinced there is no point going to look for anything anywhere,” he said at sidelines of the company’s Thanksgiving service on Friday.

The Single Window system jointly operated by GCNet and Customs World Dubai (West Blue) was to be unplugged for a new system to be installed following the entry of South Korean company UNIPASS.

UNIPASS that has Ghana Link Network Services as its local partner in March 2018 was awarded a $40 million 10-year Single Window contract to provide paperless services at the port.

The contract since then has remained a subject of controversy with the Speaker of Parliament recently calling for government to take a second look at it and ensure that there is value for money.

The Trade and Industry Ministry argued that the introduction of UNIPASS is expected to make the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) more comprehensive.

Industry players say the takeover of Single Window operations from Customs World (West Blue Consulting) and GCNet will cost taxpayers more money.

Throwing more light on how efficient the GCNet systems are, Mr Darko said, urged those interested to take time and understand their system so they appreciate it the more.

“And I throw a challenge at anybody who dares it to come and see what we have and compare it to what someone else is talking about...Ghana is one of the first countries to embark upon the Single Window journey.

“And it was like a Mecca, anybody that wanted to embark in sub-Saharan Africa that wanted to implement Single-Window process has come to Ghana…people from Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Central Africa Republic, Gabon and many others have all come to study the system,” Mr Darko said.

According to him, although there might be challenges just like with other organisations, it is not only a systematic issue to warrant replicating what GCNet does. Read Full Story