Accra, May 29, GNA - The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GcNET) has been given due authorisation to deploy the valuation module in the Ghana Customs Management System (GCMS) from June 1. The deployment of the module, which has not been activated for a long time, is to enable GcNET to determine and report variations in the values that are assigned to various goods either imported or exported. The new initiative is expected to help enhance the mobilisation of tax revenue by Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS). A statement issued by the Ministry of Information on Friday denied newspaper reports that President John Evans Atta Mills had previously instructed that CEPS should play a lead role in matters of Valuation, Classification and Destination Inspection.

It emphasised that President Mills had never given any such instruction, explaining that the only directive on this matter was for the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to ensure that GcNET deployed the module for an initial period of three months. The statement said GcNET was selected to provide the service because, they were "already in the system and has the Valuation Module, which is one of the modules within the GCMS for the enhancement of revenue collection by CEPS." "Again, GcNET will not be providing this service at any extra cost to the State, unlike other service providers that would have to be paid over half a million Ghana Cedis monthly for the service", the statement noted. According to the statement, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has been instructed to arrange a meeting with GcNET and all interested parties to work out the detailed modalities and to ensure that the implementation starts on June 1, as directed by President Mills. 29 May 10