As part of measures geared towards dealing with the issue of congestion in the ports and points of entry, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has concluded the signing of an agreement with an equipment company to increase the number of scanners already in existence in the seaports, airport and land borders is being considered.
Director of Trade Facilitation at the Ministry, Patrick Poku says per the agreement, scanners will be deployed to the port of Takoradi, the Port of Tema, Aflao border, Elubo border and Paga border? as well as all the other entry points.
According to him, this will aid speedy cargo clearance from these points and also ease the delays and high cost associated with clearing goods in the country.
He explained in an interview that the Ministry has also sanctioned the issuance of Final Classification and Valuation Reports, FCVRs via an electronic platform in a bid to encourage paper less transactions and to reduce the element of human interface associated with the issuance of the report.
According to him, the concept which commenced on the 1st?of June this year has seen destination inspection companies issuing FCVRs online and also providing hotlines to enable importers and clearing agents alike to answer any queries when they are raised on their submitted documents by the destination inspection companies.
These he pointed out are being done with the tacit support of the Ghana Community Network Services system, (GcNet) and the Destination inspection companies themselves all aimed at accelerating cargo clearance processes.
Exemptions
According to Mr. Poku, exemptions from destination inspection companies, ECOWAS levy and EDAIF among others which normally are enjoyed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies has also been given a technological touch and will be applied for and approved online.
He said because that process is a new one, it will be done on a gradual basis until it becomes fully operational as the only medium through which exemptions will be applied for, and approved.
??We want to streamline it and make it as quick as possible so when you go to the EMDA portal (Electronic Ministries, Departments and Agencies portal), as a customs house agent or importer, you can submit online and receive approval online?? he noted.
When the concept kick starts from the 1st?of October this year according to Mr. Poku, the customs house agents and importers will have to always submit their documents and supporting materials to the Ministry online for purposes of scrutiny for authentication before final approval through the Ghana Customs Management System platform of the GcNet.
