The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has commenced the implementation of an e-Manifest system at the Kotoka International Airport.
The e-Manifest system which is being deployed by technical partners of the Customs division of the GRA, WestBlue Consulting will allow customs officials to access advance information on all cargo arriving in the country by air in real time. This is a departure from the current practice in which customs officials have to shuttle from one airline operator to the other in search of such information.
Theresa Kyei Asare the KIA sector commander of the Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority made the announcement of the commencement of the system at an IATA Advance Cargo Information workshop in Accra.
“The e-Manifest system will simplify the process and make the clearing system faster. For example if you are supposed to deliver the goods within 48 hours, with the electronic manifest we will be able to deliver within 24 hours or even at a shorter time,” Asare said.
The sector commander pointed out that the e-Manifest will allow a seamless dissemination of information on all cargo due in the country by air to all relevant stakeholders in real time.
She explained that the Manifest is the first and foremost document that customs officials require in order to process cargo clearance. “This is very welcome because it will make our work very simple and curtail the stress of moving from one airline operator to the other for the manifest manually to commence clearing processes.”
The manager in charge of training at WestBlue Consulting, Ransford Mensah noted that the system was aimed at deploying technology in the entire gamut of operations at the airport including boarding through to landing as well as the manifest section itself to ensure effective trade facilitation through automation.
According to him, the system allows authorised officials to log in and transact business without let or hindrance, adding that the system has been programmed to operate from end to end.
