Takoradi Harbour Pilots UNIPASS From Tomorrow

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The
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will on February 21, introduce UNI-PASS system at
the Takoradi habour on pilot basis.

The
success of the UNIPASS at the Takoradi harbour would ensure its rollover to the
Tema port and other inland ports across the country.

Felix
Mante-Kodjo, Deputy Commissioner of Customs in charge of Policy and Programmes,
disclosed this at a media workshop organized by the GRA on the introduction of
the system.

The
UNIPASS offers importers and exporters an integrated system of filing all
documents as against the previous system where declarants had to visit each and
every agency involved.

The
integrated system would therefore help businesses to send information regarding
consignment simultaneously to each agency concerned for swift response in trade
facilitation.

Mr
Mante-Kodjo noted that the new system would also improve the turn-around time
but added that inland ports might have a different system of operation.

Mr.
Mante-Kodjo said stakeholder consultations had been done and that “Help
Desks” would also be created across the major offices of the authority for
further public engagement on the UNIPASS in the transformation process.

“The
UNIPASS offers one stop service through the single window, reduction of
clearance time, real time cargo tracking and risk management,” he added.

He
said field tests had been completed especially at Aflao and its satellite
stations.

Key
equipment and IT connections have also been installed at all custom stations
awaiting the green light from government for full swing operations, come
February 21.

Meanwhile,
new banks have joined the fold of service providers.

Mr Mante-Kodjo said the implementation of UNIPASS was on course and lauded the cooperation of stakeholders.

GNA