MEMBRES

 

GHANA - GCNet

 

Historique

The Ghana Single Window (GCNet):

• A Public-Private Partnership established in November 2000 to manage the deployment
• Key Partner to Government in the Provision of e-Solutions for Trade Facilitation, Revenue Mobilization & Business Competiveness.
• Successfully deployed Ghana's Single Window, the Ghana Customs Management System, the e-Registrar Solution and the e-Tax Solution

 

Services

• Processing of Manifest and distribution
• Processing FCVRs and distribution
• Issuance and distribution of Licenses, Permits and Exemptions by Regulatory bodies
• Electronic Valuation of Used vehicles
• Processing of Declarations and distribution – Standard Declaration – Head Load Declaration (Simplified Declaration to capture activities of informal and/or unregistered traders, Process eliminate Custom House Agents)
• Customs Release and Delivery Order – Allows Freight Terminals and Shipping Lines to receive Customs electronic declaration advising them of Cargo due for examination – Allows Shipping Lines to send instructions to Freight Terminals advising them that cargo can be released
• Ship and Aircraft movement information over web portal
• Access to statistics by various Stakeholders using data mining tools

 

Présentation

Objectives:

• Facilitate Trade and Clearance of Goods through Customs in a secured manner
• Enhance Mobilization of Trade related Revenue for Government
• Reduce malpractices associated with Import/Export Trade
• Reduce transaction costs and delays Trade Operators encounter in Clearing Consignments through the Ports

GCNet consists of Four Complementary Systems:

• The Ghana Single Window Tradenet: An EDI platform for transmission of electronic messages between Trade Operators and Customs on one hand and other Regulatory Agencies on the other.
• The Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS): An automated system for processing all Customs Operations.
• The e-Registrar Solution: An online Business registration suite that manages the entire lifecycle of a Business including: Name Reservation, Registration, Filing, Changes in Particulars, Conversions Payments and Close Downs.
• The e-Tax Solution: A self-Service portal that provides a full range of online Tax Administration Services to Taxpayers. They include: Registration, Returns Processing, Automated Compliance, Collections, Taxpayer Accounting, Refunds, Risk Management etc…

How does it work?

• Data is submitted to the Tradenet electronically in EDI format
• Tradenet interfaces GCMS to all Stakeholders by exchanging EDI files
• Tradenet also interfaces Stakeholders amongst themselves
• GCMS enables Customs to perform all necessary Customs related processing
• All data is hosted at Customs Headquarters

CURRENT STATUS Stations connected these process about 98% of total declarations

• Two Seaports (Tema and Takoradi)
• Kotoka International Airport
• Four land borders – Aflao on the Togo border – Elubo on the Cote d'Ivoire border – Kulungugu and Paga on the Burkina Faso border

BENEFITS Importer/Exporter

• Faster clearance times
• More transparent and predictable processes
• Less bureaucracy

Customs

• Improved staff working conditions through upgraded infrastructure
• Substantial increase in Customs Revenue
• More professionalism

Government

• Substantial increase in Government revenue. In the first year, import revenue grew by almost 50%. In subsequent years there has been an average growth of 23%

CHALLENGES

• Overcoming the human factor, institutional, attitudinal and infrastructural constraints required for a successful change management
• Ensuring high level of compliance among Trade Operators and Declarants
• Overcoming the seeming reluctance of some Regulatory Agencies to interface with System to enhance Trade Facilitation
• Developing complementary electronic Systems for other Trade related Agencies (e.g. Port Cargo Management Systems and MDA internal Systems)
• Addressing infrastructural constraints especially at land borders.

Current system users

• Customs
• Port Authority
• Shipping Lines (55)
• Custom House Agents (700)
• Commercial Banks
• Freight Terminals
• Airport Freight Handling Operator
• Central Bank
• Oil marketing Companies
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
• Shipper's Council
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies (28) e.g. – Ministry of Trade – Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning – Revenue Agencies Governing Board – Standards Board – Food and Drugs Board – Ghana Investments Promotion Centre – Minerals Commission – Environmental Protection Agency – Free Zones Board – Statistical Service – Narcotics Control Board

LESSONS LEARNT AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Strong support from Government
• A balanced selection of complementary partners with unique strengths
• Absolute conviction by key players that project could work
• A financing model that is self- sustainable

It is possible to roll-out a complex system, with the right capabilities and approaches. The Private-Public Sector Partnership that was adopted has become a model for e-Governance projects in Ghana. Transit Tracking Main Features

• Registration of Transit Vehicles and Importers Registration of Transit Vehicles and Importers
• Application of Seals to secure Cargo Application of Seals to secure Cargo
• Electronic processing of Transit Insurance Electronic processing of Transit Insurance Bonds
• Electronic tracking of Cargo through GCMS Electronic tracking of cargo through GCMS and deployment of satellite tracking units

Transit- Satellite Tracking Functionality: Information Matrix Sub- consignment No • Vehicle No • Destination • Declarant • Entry / Exit Point • Attached Flag • Overdue Report Alerts • Static Alerts • Geo Fencing – Available but undergoing testing. Functionality Note: System has been operational since 2002 and in continuous development. GCNet has become a reference in the region - Benefits have been substantial in terms of increase in Government revenue and reduction in Clearance times