Ghana Link Network Services Limited in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) have successfully conducted a simulation exercise for the new Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS).

The exercise which included key supply chain players as Meridian Port Services (MPS) Limited, Ghana Shippers Authority GSA, Shipping Lines, National Security, Narcotics Control Board, Food and Drugs Authority, Bank of Ghana BOG, Ghana Standard Authority, Free Zones Authority and all other stakeholders at the Ports of Tema was aimed at testing the ICUMS and its ability to aid the free flow of both import and export. 

Also, part of the exercise was to test the response time in dealing with a simulated incident when multiple government entities are involved and expected to react immediately and adequately to a request based on a scenario involving the grounding of a vessel to check if it has in it any contraband goods, as well as if there is an oil spill that could have environmental repercussions on the port’s marine wildlife and general operations.

The success of the simulation was seen in the readiness of ICUMS for public use at the Sea Port of Tema and Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

After the exercise the Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA Amisshadai Owusu-Amoah, assured the public of the Authority’s determination to ensure the project’s smooth take-off.

“I must say with what I have seen today, everything is going as planned. The simulation has been successful and it gives us the confidence with regards to the rollout date.

"When the ICUMS is fully deployed at the Tema Port, the country will see an increase in revenue over time with many of the current loopholes blocked".

He also added that with the ICUMS, the import and export community are going to get a one-stop service with a single-window deployed for customs clearance.

On his part the Managing Director of Ghana Link Network Services Limited Nabali Bawa, said beyond providing a single system for customs clearance, the ICUMS is going to see a reduction in the turnaround time through the Clearance Management System (CMS).

He added that there is also going to be a real-time Cargo Tracking Management through the Cargo Management System.

In attendance to observe the simulation exercise was the Senior Minister Yaw Osafo Marfo, Minister for Trade Alan Kyeremanteng and his Deputy Carlos Ahenkora, Deputy Minister of Finance Kwaku Kwarteng and other government officials.

Currently, training and registration for users are on-going regarding the ICUMS system which covers freight forwarders, Shipping Lines, government agencies, GRA Customs officials, and all other individuals who will be using the system.

The ICUMS system is expected to be deployed at the end of May at the Tema Port and KIA.

Ghana Link Network Services is the company spearheading the deployment of the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), an end-to-end single window.  

ICUMS, which is the name of the Ghana version of Universal Pass (UNIPASS), is built by Korea Customs and is a new all-in-one customs management solution owned by the Government of Ghana.

Ghana Link Network Services Limited, which has a 10-year contract with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, partnered Korea Customs to introduce UNIPASS in Ghana.

ICUMS is also a modern and world-class technology acknowledged by international bodies such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), The World Bank, and World Economic Forum (WEF), which is used to facilitate trade, ensure supply chain security and increase revenue. 

UNIPASS is the only technology in the area of trade facilitation, security/safety and revenue mobilization developed by a customs agency aimed at solving customs and trade-related issues. Hence, it is tailor-measured technology.