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It is increasingly apparent that the firm has approved the implementation of the UNIPASS Port Clearance System, which was originally scheduled to begin on 1 January 2019.
The Ministry of Finance has written to Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) and West Blue (Customs World) to prepare for the transfer of authority to UNIPASS.
Over the years, the two agencies have developed the systems necessary for the proper functioning of the ports by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbors Administration (GPHA). .
In this letter, the Cabinet approved UNIPASS in mid-January this year to resume the activities of GCNet and West Blue and ordered the two companies to prepare for a transition – this team will soon be formed.
This news is a shock for many because even though the implementation of the UNIPASS Port Clearing System was originally scheduled to start on January 1, 2019, it was suspended due to legal, operational and other issues by the management team. Economic Development (EMT). .
In a directive, contained in an EMT decision note headed by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and dated December 20, 2018, the decision to suspend the implementation of the UNIPASS system was to allow the use of the existing national single system. While giving the Cabinet time to review the 10-year sole-source contract.
"The planned introduction of UNIPASS on 1 January 2019 should be suspended, with a transition period of at least August 2019 to avoid any disruption of the port's customs clearance system", decision note signed by Professor Joe Amoako-Tuffour, secretary / member of the EMT says.
The suspension of the UNIPASS launch date was also intended to allow the Attorney General to advise the Government on the termination of the existing contract with Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) and West Blue (Customs World).
"The Minister of Trade and Industry and the Minister of Finance [should] propose to the Cabinet the review and approval of the UNIPASS agreement and the Ghana Link Network Services Limited contract, "states the decision note sent to the GRA Commissioner-General at the time.
Joy Business understands that the Cabinet has always approved the agreement at its last meeting, following which the Department of Finance wrote to GCNet and West Blue asking them to rely on a transition team set to place soon.
West Blue goes to court
Currently, the West Blue IT solution company sued UNIPASS and all its operators for allegedly plagiarizing its software for its one-stop shop project.
The complaint filed in the Commercial Division of the High Court of Accra is directed against the Ghana Link Network Services Limited, the UNI-PASS International Customs
Korea Agency (CUPIA, Korea) and Work Smart Limited.
West Blue is seeking a court order prohibiting all three companies, its officers, agents or anyone acting on their behalf from using its 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.
In its statement of claim accompanying its mandate, West Blue indicated that Ghana Link, in July 2018, copied its pre-arrival badessment 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 the current 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 learned that the UNIPASS system was a cloning of his system after a demonstration in the port.
West Blue also learned that it had been copied by Ghana Link, as the UNIPASS system was not ready to be ready on January 1, 2019, the deadline for takeover, hacking of its system was intended to help Ghana Link meet deadlines. until his own system was ready.
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, to facilitate the clearance of goods without voluminous paperwork and to reduce 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 ten-year contract with Ghana Link Network Service Limited and its overseas partner, CUPIA Korea Customs Service, to oversee the implementation of implementation of the National Single Window project, including the paperless system. , in the ports.
Ghana Link with overseas partners, the Korean Customs Service of CUPIA will provide the Customs Management and Trade Facilitation System for a fee of 0.75% (FOB) as part of their contract with CUPIA. Department of Commerce.
This figure is much higher than the current suppliers, West Blue and GCNet currently charge as a fee.
West Blue Consulting currently earns 0.28%, while GCNet gains 0.4%. Thus, the two existing suppliers offering single window operations in Ghana together absorb 0.68%, which is far below what the UNIPASS will take (0.75%).
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