Importers & Exporters welcome Single Window System

Importers and Exporters at the Tema Port have embraced the Single Window System introduced by the government for trade facilitation at the Port. When Radio Ghana visited the Port area on Tuesday September 1, importers and exporters were seen going about their usual duties to clear their goods. 

Although the system is not fully operational, some clearing agents are hopeful that it will ensure speedy processing and clearing of goods thereby reducing cost of clearing. 

The Single Window System introduced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry primarily provides the platform for an integrated clearance process to minimize the human factor as much as possible and, to a large extent help to reduce the processing time for trade documents. 

After 15 years of operating with Destination Inspection Companies, DICs, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has taken over task to enhance Customs functions as a stop-gap measure fin improved trade facilitation. 

The concept also provides an opportunity for importers and exporters to electronically lodge their documents, including customs declarations, certificates of origin, invoices at a single location to be accessed by all regulatory and trade agencies, instead of traders sending copies of the same documents to different agencies. 

When Radio Ghana visited the Port importers and exporters were seen briskly going about their duties. 

The new system being implemented by West Blue Consulting is in collaboration with GCNet Service and other Scanning companies at the Port. Mr. Sampson Asaki Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association expressed the hope that West Blue Consulting will always have their technical expertise on the ground to enhance the work of Customs.


GBC