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ICUMS records 1,452 transactions at land borders
Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS), says it has registered 1,452 transactions at the land frontiers since it was deployed.
Out of this, 408 were direct imports into home use, 900 Temporary Vehicle Imports, 34 Warehouse, 20 Transit and 9 Free Zones.
Responding to the concerns of some stakeholders, Mr Emmanuel Ohene, Assistant Commissioner of Customs who is the sector commander of Accra said payment was no longer made on the Bill of Entry (BoE) but rather a Bill of Tax is generated for the payment.
“Whereas previously, a post-entry is required to update change in exchange rate, ICUMS does that automatically and generates a new Bill of Tax. This is a more effective way of managing changes in exchange rate rather than the post-entry as was the case in the old system,” he stated.
According to him, the one per cent inspection fee in the case of General Goods & New Vehicles as well as one per cent Examination Fee in the case of Used Motor Vehicles are administrative fees and not related to a service provider.
“So long as a BOE goes through Classification and Valuation process, the payment of this fee is required,” he stressed.
Mr Ohene explained that the tax base for the calculation of ad-valorem taxes in Ghana had not changed and is duly enforced in the ICUMS.
He noted that the upfront relief on the payment of the one per cent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Tax Deposit is not permanent and subject to periodic review.
“All taxpayers who require an upfront relief of this tax from GRA after approval are updated into ICUMS as and when the approval is done, otherwise you are required to pay,” he added.
He said every transaction done in ICUMS including Import Assessment Tax (TVI) is issued with their required certificate.
For the avoidance of doubt, a TVI certificate is generated and given to the driver, which is verifiable, he stated.
Mr Ohene explained that ICUMS had clear isolation of data and data privacy which was strictly enforced saying, “Transactions of one entity cannot be accessed by another agency”.
In addition, he said there is clear control of work, such that even users in the same company are not able to see one other’s work unless assigned supervisor role.
According to him, the administrators of a company could create, assign roles, suspend, revoke and delete a user.
He said the establishment of an ultra-modern call centre and Customer Support Desks at strategic locations was normal in such a transition process.
“Since November last year, training sessions have been organised for all stakeholders before the system went live,” he said.
“More so, as training is a continuous process, it is still ongoing and being run in collaboration with Freight Forwarders Associations to date,” Mr Ohene said.
BY TIMES REPORTER
Medical Doctor and dietician, Dr Bernice Korkor Asare, has urged women to take greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices, particularly their eating habits and levels of physical activity, to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
According to her, although, some breast cancer risk factors, such as family history and certain reproductive factors, may not be within an individual’s control, lifestyle choices offer an opportunity for people to take preventive action.
She made this known during a talk on the topic: “Role of diet in breast cancer prevention” organised by Times Ladies Association of the New Times Corporation, publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, in Accra on Thursday.
The event themed “Breast Cancer Awareness- Promoting Early Detection, Healthy Eating and Prevention.” 
She noted that having a risk factor did not automatically mean a person would develop breast cancer, but could increase the likelihood of developing the disease compared with someone without that particular risk factor.
“Having close relatives who have had breast cancer, particularly a mother, sister or daughter, may increase the risk, although not everyone with a family history will develop the disease,” Dr Asare opined. Read More.
By Adizatu K. Munkaila
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A group of compassionate friends from Innovation Gospel Impact last Friday visited the management, teachers and learners of the Street Academy in Accra.
The visit was to interact to get a deeper insight into the operations of the Academy that houses hundreds of street and underprivileged children and find ways to support them.
The team was led by Rev. Dr Isaac Apenteng Yeboah, a former Director for West African Mailbox Club and Director for Prisons Support Foundation, and Rev. Dale Sutherland from Washington DC.
The call, according to the visitors was occasioned by reports about the struggles of the Academy despite the occasional support it enjoys from individuals and some corporate entities.
Briefing them, the Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, thanked them for the concern showed, indicating that “this is a major boost for both teachers and learners; knowing that their plight is known by people outside their premises.”
According Dr Lartey, the Academy had planned to undertake a number of project to enhance teaching and learning and also procure facilities for the children with keen interest in sports but had to shelve those plans for lack of finance.
He told the team that their biggest concerns were the monthly utility bills that takes a toll on their finances.
“We have a piece of land we planned to turn into an astro turf pitch to train the younger ones whose interests lies in making a career out of football, however, we have been unable to commence because there is no money now,” he said.
Dr Lartey expressed gratitude to the teachers who have dedicated their lives to training these children, rather than going for well-paying jobs and hoped that with time, their conditions of engagement would improve.
Moved by the plight of the Academy, the group donated a cash amount of Gh₵3,000 to settle its water bills.
They described as unfortunate the conditions of learners and teachers of the Academy and pledged to continuously support their operations to realize the dream to build a better future for the unfortunate children.
The group offered to support the school with its monthly utility bills, feeding and staff allowance and urged the Academy staff to remain in constant touch with them.
The Street Academy is located at the Accra Art Center and offers brilliant but needy the chance to pursue their educational dreams by enrolling them in public schools with others offered training in sports and cultural activities.
By Spectator Reporter
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