CEPS AUTOMATES CORE FUNCTIONS (SPREAD)

The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has fully automated its core functions of classification and valuation of imported goods.
Until the automation, the core functions were being carried out by foreign Destination Inspection Companies, which was a drain on the scarce foreign exchange of the country.
Mr Paul Osei-Kwabena, Chairman of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB), said the automation was a manifestation of the government's commitment to carry through its objective of building the capacity of CEPS to resume its core functions ceded to the Destination Inspection Companies.
Mr Osei Kwabena, who inaugurated a new automated business premises designed to house the classification and valuation processes, said the initiative was a collaboration among the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, RAGB, CEPS and Bankwitch, an Information Technology (IT) solution firm.
He said the provision of IT facilities had provided CEPS the foundation to function effectively and productively in an ambience conducive to a job such as classification and valuation
The board chairman expressed the hope that the facility would be put to use in a manner that would compensate those whose vision, toil and resource had helped to build the service.
Mr Emmanuel Doku, commissioner of CEPS, who received the keys to the furnished building, said this was the first phase of a major project that would enhance the ability of CEPS to manage electronic information from importers and exporters without passing it through intermediaries who charge for their services.
He said the new innovative IT solution would be integrated into the Ghana Community Net Work (GCNet) to add value to the current system operated by CEPS.
Mr Doku said the aim of the integration was to offer importers and declarants an enhanced single window for clearing their goods from the ports in the country.
He said acquisition of the facilities represented a further step in the modernisation of CEPS’ procedures and work practices.
The commissioner noted that the IT solution would enable CEPS to continue to improve its services to the general public and further secure revenue for national development.