Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, managers of the new Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), has said claims that the system is fraught with challenges are misleading.

Public Relations Manager of Ghana Link, Norvan Acquah-Hayford, in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, said that most of the challenges Freight Forwarders and shipping lines are encountering are as a result of the transition process from the old system that was being managed by GCNet and West Blue, to the new system.

“I think the challenge has been shipping lines’ inability to access the documents and authenticate the various payments that these clearing agents claim they have made,” he told GhanaWeb.

He said, for instance, that prior to the week that the new system took effect, most of the Freight Forwarders had processed their Bill of Entries through the old system.

The old system was shut on May 31, 2020, as the new ICUMS took over on June 1, 2020, amid controversy over the change of ownership.

Subsequently, the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) started complaining that the transitional arrangement put in place by the ICUMS system was costing the importer more than before.

However, Mr. Acquah-Hayford explained to GhanaWeb that managers of the new system cannot be blamed for high rent charges accruing due to the delays.

According to him, some Freight Forwarders made payments at the bank after using the old system. All that data is locked up with managers of the old system.

Mr Acquah-Hayford also said in line with Ghana Link’s firm commitment to dealing with the challenges, a flow chart and accompanying processes have been released to guide Freight Forwarders and shipping lines on the way forward.

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