According to the GEPA, the intervention had been necessitated by observations of inaccurate data entry into online export declaration forms, as well as the loss of data due to non-presentation on some manually completed export forms.

The GEPA has since taken the series of sensitisation programmes to border towns Aflao in the Volta Region, Takoradi and Elubo in the Western Region.

CEO

Addressing participants at Elubo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GEPA, Ms Afua Asabea Asare, in a speech read on her behalf by the Deputy CEO, Mr Albert Kassim Diwura, said some inaccurate data received through the Ghana Community Network Services (GCNet) platform and those presented manually resulted in the capture of wrong data, particularly regarding inaccuracies in values declared.

She also noted that a recent visit to customs exit point revealed that some freight forwarders still had in their possession export forms dating as far back as 2013, which, she said, had been phased out.

Ms Asare said the unannounced application of revised Harmonised Codes (HS Codes) also contributed to data inaccuracy and loss.

She called for advanced notices of revisions in HS Codes to allow stakeholders to update their systems for smooth implementation.

Ms Asare encouraged all participants in the workshop to eagerly effect the necessary changes in their processes to ensure data integrity in order to reflect actual export earnings to feed into the design of strategic economic interventions and business decision-making.

The sensitisation programme, which was chaired by Mr Peter Ehlah, representing the Elubo Sector Commander, Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, was attended by freight forwarders.

Presentations

There were presentations and discussions by the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, the Bank of Ghana, the Ghana Statistical Service, Customs and GCNet.

Participants were encouraged to ensure eligibility when completing export forms, return completed export forms to Customs, identify products with correct HS Codes, description, values and weight, as well as discouraged from using their companies as the exporting company.

The Customs Division also pledged to be meticulous in storing the right information submitted by freight forwarders.

According to the GEPA, the sensitisation exercise would continue in Sunyani, Accra, Tema, Wa and Bolga before the end of this year.

“Through these interactions and awareness programme the GEPA is optimistic that non-traditional exports will give a better indication of Ghana’s export trade as no data will be lost,” the GEPA said in a statement.