Single Window Implementation Experience of Ghana UN CEFACT Symposium

Single Window Implementation Experience of Ghana UN/CEFACT Symposium on Single Window Standards and Interoperability Geneva, 3 -5 May 2006 Palais des Nations

Background GCNet – Ghana Community Network was established in Nov 2000. GCNet is a Public Private Partnership and mandated by the Government to Implement and manage a Single Window system for the processing of international trade-related processes with Customs as the central core element UNECE UN/CEFACT

Design and development process Project Implementation Team (PIT) established with representation of all major stakeholders Identification of needs and agreement on streamlined procedures and processes Comprehensive sensitization programme was developed Customisation of existing Mauritius system Deployment of system in phases Full process undertaken by the GCNet JV PPP company UNECE UN/CEFACT

Structure and services Submission and distribution of Manifests (Master and House) Submission and distribution of Customs Declarations Confirmation of D&T payment at Commercial Banks Issuing and transfer of Customs release approval Issuing and transfer of Delivery Order Web Portal with trade related information, some real-time Direct access to Government Ministries to real-time data UNECE UN/CEFACT

Technology EDI based system (Trade. Net) coupled with Customs Management System Networking through Fibre Optic and radio network Oracle database Unix platform Legacy systems interfaced through EDI messaging UNECE UN/CEFACT

System Architecture UNECE UN/CEFACT

Geographical coverage Burkina Faso Togo Côte d’Ivoire UNECE UN/CEFACT

Participants GCNet shareholders are: Customs, Ecobank, Ghana Commercial Bank, Ghana Shippers Council, SGS Other stakeholders: o Ministry of Finance o Ministry of Trade and Industry o Ship Owners And Agents Association o Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders o Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority o Narcotics Control Board o Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority o Private Freight Terminals o Central Bank UNECE UN/CEFACT

Clients System processing 97% of official trade All active Declarants connected – 400 Clearing Agents and Self Importer located at 625 locations All active Shipping (65) and Forwarding Agents (50) connected 357, 781 declarations processed in 2005 (Total 800, 000 since startup in 2002) 5, 878 manifests processed in 2005 (2, 501 sea, 3, 377 air) 440 customs terminals deployed covering all key functions – eg doc review, examination, post-event, audit, management, tariff etc… 600 customs officers trained and active using the system GCNet, 70 employees (Network dept, Systems Dept, IT security Dept, Ops support, Call Centre, Training) UNECE UN/CEFACT

Business model Initial Investment provided by GCNet Shareholders as equity contribution Network Charge applied on “Home consumption” declarations as a percentage of FOB value The Network Charge covers all infrastructure, software, renewal of equipment, training, change management, capacity building etc… Overall project cost USD 7 Mio UNECE UN/CEFACT

Results Benefits of the system are multiple. The major benefits are as follows: For the Importer/Exporter: faster clearance time, more transparent process, more predictable process, less bureaucracy. For Customs: vastly improved staff working through upgraded infrastructure, substantial increase in Customs revenue, more structured and controlled working environment, more professionalism. Commercial Banks: Increase in number of customers, increase amount of funds passing through banking operations, collection of dividends from GCNet (being shareholders) Government: substantial increase in Government revenue, example of best practice for the region, recognition by donors. Economy: Improved transparency and governance in Customs. UNECE UN/CEFACT

Data Exchange As much as possible international standards used for data-exchange Discussions have been held for cross-border data exchange (Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso) but not yet in use. UNECE UN/CEFACT

Legal issues In the absence of any e-legislation at the time of inception, a Legislative Instrument was enacted to allow for electronic Customs declarations and its related processes UNECE UN/CEFACT

Lessons learned It is possible to roll-out a complex system, with the right capabilities and approaches being adopted. The private-public sector partnership that was adopted has become a model for egovernance projects in Ghana. Success Factors Strong support from Government Private sector involvement for project management 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 UNECE UN/CEFACT

What are your future plans for the Single Window? MDA project – interconnecting of all Government Ministries and Agencies for permit and exemption processing Transit project – improve monitoring of goods in transit using the GCNet system Cross-border data exchange UNECE UN/CEFACT

What do you see as the biggest challenges for Single Window Interoperability In Ghana, overcoming weak infrastructure – physical, network, power Change of mind-sets and ways of working Lack of effective existing systems to interconnect to. (IRS, Free Zones etc…) UNECE UN/CEFACT

UNECE UN/CEFACT