This new module, introduced in partnership with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs Division, is made available on the electronic Ministries, Departments and Agencies (eMDA) portal that are linked to the Ghana Customs Management Systems (GCMS).

A statement from GCNet said the activation of the issuance or delivery of e-Certificate of Origin for all exports takes effect from October 15, 2018 with all exporters and their agents mandated to process the application of new certificates of origin online.

This means that exporters and their agents must initiate all new applications and printing of Certificate of Origin through the e-MDA portal on the GCNet/GCMS system bearing in mind that any manual issuance of the Certificate of Origin ceased from October 15, 2018.

The statement said the full roll out has become necessary following the completion of broad stakeholder sensitisation and training sessions organised by GCNet in collaboration with the GNCCI and GRA to build capacity of users to enhance their experience of the module in the processing of necessary documentation online for exports.

Industry players in the trade facilitation space intimate that the electronic delivery of Certificates of Origin (CO) has become imperative and this development was a huge leap in the light of a dynamic business environment, which continuously leverages technology to modernise its processes to expedite the application and issuance process, as well as improve security in order to boost business competitiveness. 

The roll out of the electronic delivery of Certificate of Origin including the issuance of electronic certificates for business registration as well as applications for exemption, permits and approvals in the clearance chain were among a number of paperless regimes that GCNet had championed.

These were to support Government’s programme to streamline trade facilitation processes by leveraging technology to reduce constraints thereby fostering trade development and increasing revenue for accelerated development.

Speaking at a stakeholder capacity building session, Mr Eben Engmann, TradeNet Manager of GCNet, expressed GCNet’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure the goal of the paperless trade facilitation regime was achieved.

According to him, GCNet will continue to innovate and enhance user experience while deploying e-solutions that directly impacted on the clearance chain to boost business competitiveness, reduce cost of doing business and increase the ease of doing business.

He commended GNCCI and GRA for the fruitful partnership which had resulted in the roll out of an electronic platform to facilitate the application and delivery of Certificates of Origin to deepen transparency, reduce costs and save time for the benefits of stakeholders.

Chief Executive Officer of the GNCCI, Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye was elated that the Chamber had finally computerised the process of the issuance of the documentary evidence showing the origin of goods exported from Ghana as well as certification for a variety of other export documentation.

He stressed that the process was aligned with the International Certificate of origin guidelines prepared by World Chambers Federation, ICC’s specialized division for Chamber Affairs.