[ad_1]
The controversy around the UNIPASS national single window is far from over, with West Blue Ghana Limited, an IT solutions company, suing the system's operators for allegedly hacking its software for the project.
The lawsuit, filed in front of the commercial division of the High Court of Accra, concerns Ghanaian companies Link Network Services Limited, the International Customs Agency UNI-PASS (CUPIA, Korea) and Work Smart Limited.
Useful links Ghana Politics | Ghana celebrity news | News in Ghana
West Blue is seeking a court order prohibiting all three companies, their officers, their agents, or anyone acting on their behalf from using their software under the UNIPASS system.
He also asks the court to award damages to the accused for violating his copyright by cloning his software without authorization.
The lawsuit comes just two months after the Economic Management Team (EMT), led by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, ordered the suspension of the UNI-PASS customs clearance system, scheduled to begin on January 1. 2019.
Ghana News Titles
For news from Ghana, visit the Graphic Online titles page
Ghana news headlines.
In the statement, the EMT instructed CUPIA of Korea and Ghana Link Network Services to demonstrate that they had developed "comprehensive systems of customs technology solutions, successfully tested, with an independent stress report , and a full implementation project at the EMT by the end of January 2019 ".
Context
On August 4, 2015, West Blue entered into a one-stop government agreement with the government as part of efforts to integrate service provider systems in the country's ports and to facilitate the clearance of goods without excessive paperwork. while reducing the transaction time. .
The contract was due to expire in 2020, after which West Blue would entrust the system to the Government of Ghana.
However, in March 2018, the Ministry of Commerce signed a 10-year contract with Ghana Link Network Services Limited and its overseas partner, CUPIA Korea Customs Service, for a one-time supplier. to oversee the implementation of the National Single Window project, including the paperless system. , in the ports.
Ghana Link, with its overseas partners, the Korean Customs Service CUPIA, will provide the management system for trade and customs facilitation activities at a rate of 0.75% (FOB), in accordance with their contract with the Ministry of Commerce.
This figure is higher than the existing suppliers, West Blue and GCNet, currently receive as a commission.
West Blue Consulting currently earns 0.28%, while GCNet gains 0.4%. Thus, the two existing suppliers providing single window operations in Ghana together account for 0.68%, which is lower than what UNIPASS will take (0.75%).
Why West Blue went to court
In its statement of claim accompanying its mandate, West Blue stated that Ghana Link, in July 2018, had copied its Pre-Arrival Assessment Reporting System (PAARS) and its Risk Management System, which were modules of its unique operating system in Ghana.
The computer company also stated that the features, design and operations of the UNIPASS system were identical to those of its existing system.
"The social media link on the supposed new system redirects West Blue's social media handles," he said.
According to West Blue, stakeholders in the country's ports have learned that the UNIPASS system is a cloned form of its system after a demonstration at the port. Blue Blue also stated that it learned that Ghana Link had copied its application because the UNIPASS system may not be ready by 1 January 2019, the deadline for the takeover; the piracy of his system was therefore to help Ghana Link meet the deadline until the establishment of its own system.
[ad_2]
Source link
