A Strategic Action Plan and Road Map which was gathered and compiled during the second phase of the Ghana Single Window Project has successfully been completed and launched in Accra by the Minister of Finance Mr. Seth Terkper.
At a media briefing dubbed “towards the vision” held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel last week, the media was briefed on how far the single window project has come and the way forward into the final phase of the project.
Speaking at the launch, CEO of the IT firm responsible for the execution of the project-West Blue Consulting, Madam Valentina Mintah explained what the phase two was about and the way forward.
“Phase two was to gather all the information and requirements to be able to come up with a strategic action plan and the road map” she said. She further explained that “phase three is the implementation of the strategic action plan and road map which details the mile stone and deliverables”
The Minister of Finance upon launching the road map expressed optimism in the project and called on all government agencies and stakeholders to rally behind the program. Mr. Terkper expressed his faith in Ghanaians and pointed out that the country was more than capable of seeing the project through.
“Ladies and gentlemen the commitment and political will at the national level I think is there to make this work. Ghana has the capability not just in terms of human resources but in terms of how far we have come in IT, we all use the apps and other technologies and government is no exception”
According to the minister government was pushing for all banks to make the details of their customers online so they can access it easily in order to reduce time and cost just as the single window project was doing.
Also present at the media briefing to launch the road map for the implementation of the strategic action plan was the Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. George Blankson. He emphasized that the revenue authority together with its partners have a very clear plan as to the way they want to go and this vision is what has brought the single window to this point. According to him the next phase of the project will see an all-round improvement in the service delivery of customs and in general, the Ghana Revenue Authority. He also revealed certain aspects of the strategic plan which was meant to enhance their services.
“If you don’t know where you are going, it doesn’t matter which way you go, you must first know where you are going before you know which way to take. GRA have decided where it wants to go and now with this road map we have defined where we want to go and that is what has been launched by the minister”
“This strategic plan aims at achieving a fundamental enhancement in the way we conduct business in the customs division which is key to the partnership between government and the business community for a sure growth and prosperity” he expressed.
According to the GRA boss, the plan will include a fully intergraded risk management system that will result in the significant reduction of the number of consignments inspected by customs. The plan will also introduce automated registration and payment in key areas. Key processes will be automated and integrated into a paperless system for trade. Again as part of the plan, there will be an enhancement in the transparency of GRA service delivery in the area of customs. The plan will also seek to strengthen regulatory responsibilities by creating disincentives and stumbling blocks for illegal traders.
Commissioner of the customs division, Mr. John Vianney Kuudamnuru who was present at the launch accentuated on the need for Ghana as a country to improve on its ranking in the facilitation of trade. He also called on the media to do a professional job in the dissemination of information concerning the single window project.
“the benefits for single window are immense and we want Ghana to be in the fore front rather than occupying the current position of 171, we want to move into the 90’s or even into the 50’s if it is possible within the next five years and this can only be done if we all work together. Your being here is to enlighten you so you can carry the fight to educate others who are not aware of the program” he said.
Madam Mintah called on all stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate to make sure that simplified processes and efficient processes with all the gains the country stands to achieve are made possible to improve the trading environment.
Ghana Single Window Project
The Ghana Single Window Project (GSWP) was initiated on the 1st of September 2015 by the government of Ghana to enhance the country’s trade and economic development and secure and increase government revenue.
With just a click on www.ghanastradinghub.com, one can get all the necessary shipping details needed to import and export goods. This is a one stop shop for all declarants and shipping agencies.
