Akufo-Addo must reconsider UNIPASS deal - GCNet

The management of GCNet has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to reconsider the UNIPASS deal in the interest of the state.

Head of Corporate Affairs Madam Aba Lokko speaking in an interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm said the president has been ill-advised on the matter.

He told host Kwabena Agyapong that the UNIPASS deal has been fraught with inefficiency, controversies despite the huge support it got from the government.

GCNet on Thursday restored its systems following the challenges witnessed at the ports with the newly introduced Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) – 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 some technical challenges.

A statement issued by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday said it was consulting with the management of GCNet for the restoration of the GCNet GCMS services while the challenges with UNIPASS are fixed.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Ag. Commissioner-General of the GRA, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, said “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).

The Head of Corporate Affairs confirmed the consultation and disclosed they resumed operations on Thursday.

Madam Lokko said they recorded 3,000 declarations after resuming their operations yesterday.

She described the circumstances that led to their work being handed over to UNIPASS as strange considering the competency with which they worked.

She opined the state is looking forward to have legacy companies and GCNET is one of such companies that must be protected since the state has higher stakes in the company compared to UNIPASS.

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