As part of rolling out new modules for the second phase of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) will begin the use of an Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), Ghana Link Network Services has disclosed.
Ghana Link Network Services Ltd (GLNS), which is an IT and trade facilitation firm deployed the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), a new electronic customs management tool which after a year of its deployment has proven to be the best end-to-end single window system for Ghana.
In an interview, Mr Raymond Amaglo who is the Director of Operations at Ghana Link Network Services and a member of the implementation team of ICUMS said the APIS is expected to provide a profile of passengers coming into the country and show their risk levels so that sister agencies like the Immigration Service and the National Security will know how to deal with such persons.
This same system he says has been designed to help enhance revenue mobilisation at the airport, while ensuring information sharing relating to border control, aviation security and counter-terrorism are available to all the appropriate agencies.
The Director of Operations at Ghana Link also stated that, “to consolidate the gains that have been made in the aviation industry and accommodate the increase in passenger volumes at KIA or any other airport which will be allowed to accept passengers, it is essential that we find lasting solutions to current threats while blocking revenue leakages to the sector and the APIS which is a module in the ICUMS is very essential at this time.”
Also known as “iBorders,” the proposed initiative will also enhance compliance with Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In April 2019 the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) at a forum which looked at Ghana’s readiness to introduce Advanced Passenger Information System, had the GCAA stress that member States of ICAO are required to request advanced passenger information from airlines, consistent with the UN specialised aviation agency’s Standard and Recommend Practices (SARPS) and UN Security Council Resolutions 2309, 2341, 2395 and 2396.
The APIS, when operational, will improve the facilitation and speed of processing low-risk passengers, lower the cost of dealing with unwanted and inadmissible persons, and support efficient and risk-based resource allocation at KIA.
This system (APIS) when deployed will be supported by primary users, including the border control management process, to ensure that the system works effectively.
Meanwhile, the ICUMS is also expected to rollout the much-touted E-Wallet for traders.
The E-Wallet module Mr Amaglo said will be used as a means for refunds for traders who overpay for the clearance of their imports or in which case, the excess monies will be used to offset payments on fresh imports or a trader having to pay additional monies should there be any shortfalls in payments.
Also to be soon introduced on the ICUMS platform is the E-auction which according to Mr Amaglo, will allow Ghanaians to participate and bid for auctioned goods at the ports online.
