The country currently has a semi-paperless status where a chunk of the process involved in the import, export and transit of goods is carried out manually. The objective to go completely electronic forms part of the third phase of the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) project being undertaken by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The project is expected to reduce the cost and time of international trade by 50% and 25% respectively over the next five years. Government yesterday launched the GNSW Strategy and Roadmap which contains a range of recommendations to government on the phased rollout of the project over the next 5 years.

CEO of West Blue Consulting, the IT Company providing the technology for the Single Window Project, Valentina Mintah estimates that the Single Window will in the long term have a huge impact on the international competitiveness of Ghanaian businesses by reducing the time spent by importers and exporters in securing documentation. It would also increase the country’s global ranking in the “Trading across Borders Report” from the current position of 171 in 2016 to 121 by 2021.

Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, George Blankson said the GRA is poised to implement the recommendations tabled in the roadmap.

According to him, the GRA is “focused on implementing a single and fully integrated Risk Management system that will result in a significant reduction in the number of consignments inspected by customs.”

He added as part of its plans, the authority will “introduce automated registration and payments in a number of key areas and we will fully automate and integrate key process into paperless system for trade”.

The GNSW project was initiated on 1st September 2015 by the Government of Ghana to enhance the country’s trade and economic development and secure and increase government revenue.