ACCRA: Mona-single-window-customs Deputy Minister of Finance, Mrs Mona Quartey has assured the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, of government’s unflinching support to begin the processing of the Customs Classification and Valuation Report (CCRV).
The CCRV, which would replace the destination inspection report also known as the Final Classification and Valuation Report, would start on September 1.
Briefing the media after a familiarisation visit to the offices of the new classification and valuation unit, Mrs Quartey said government is convinced that allowing Customs to play their role is the best thing to do.
“I am convinced from what I have seen that the system and the personnel are more than ready to start the operations of the single window in September,” she said.
The new system would adopt a collaborative approach, where customs, freight forwarders, brokers and other stakeholders work together to provide services to Ghana’s Trading Community, supported by service providers such as GCNet, West Blue Consulting and Scanning Companies.
The arrangement is to create a synergy that utilises the core competencies of each of the stakeholders to implement a seamless, efficient and user-friendly e-clearance regime in a National Single Window environment.
Mrs Quartey said although there might be some initial teething issues, the contingency plans in place would ensure a seamless and hitch-free transition is possible.
The Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) system is an integrated and shared risk platform that would help overcome the inefficiencies in the current regime, including duplications, as a result of non-integrated systems, lack of real time notifications to declarants and manual document processing of import transactions.
The system, utilising a robust risk engine, would assist authorised officials to perform a comprehensive assessment of imported goods, by classifying, valuing and risk assessing them, based on international standards and conventions.
To aid trader compliance and provide timely trade information to the public an interactive trade information portal www.ghanastradinghub.gov.gh would be launched as part of the programme on September 1, 2015 to aid compliance at source.
The PAARS services would be delivered from the Customs Technical Services Bureau.
Valentina Mintah, Chief Executive Officer of West Blue Consulting Limited, pledged a smooth delivery of the single window project.
She said adequate preparations had been made to ensure successful execution of the project, adding that customs and partner government agencies as well as clients are ready.
