The second phase of the automation of the core functions of Customs, Excise and Preventive Service is expected to be inaugurated this month to accelerate the clearance of goods at the country’s ports.
The first phase of the automation project was handed over to CEPS last month by Bankswitch Ghana Ltd, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) service provider.
Mr Kingsley Kyei Abeyieh, Valuation Support Manager of Bankswitch, announced this when he conducted the media on familiarisation tour of the automation centre.
He said 17 CEPS ICT personnel had been deployed to the automation centre to test the efficiency of the computers and the software being used before the launch of the second phase on September 22.
He said the testing had proved successful and this had convinced Bankswitch to continue with computerisation for the launch of the second phase.
Mr Abeyieh said the second phase would enhance the ability of CEPS to manage electronic information of importers without the importers having to move from their offices to Destination Inspection Companies (DIC) as had hitherto been the case.
He said because there was no more human contact between importers and CEPS before goods were cleared, the huge temptation that importers would bribe customs officials had been eliminated.
He added that importers could not also engage in under-invoicing of goods since the automation required them to state the quantity and weight of their goods before aplication forms were approved.
The Valuation Support Manager said because importers would sit in their office to fill their forms online the clearing of goods a had been reduced from weeks to only a few minutes.
Mr Abeyieh noted that the acquisition of the facilities represented a further step by the government to modernise CEPS procedures and core functions to international standards.
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