The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has expressed worry about the frequent breakdown of the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet).

According to Emmanuel Ashaley Neequaye, Terminal Supervisor at the GPHA, the situation was affecting the smooth operations at the ports, leaving importers and stakeholders mostly frustrated.

Mr Neequaye who was speaking to CitiNews at the sidelines of a workshop on challenges for multilateral trading system said the problem importers are facing at the port currently is the frequent breakdown of GCNet systems.

“Unfortunately, the problem that is currently facing us is the frequent breakdown in the network. So sometimes it holds down our activities for two to four hours and that is the problem that we are facing currently with the GCNet system”, he said.

Weather Effect

Mr Neequaye said the GCNet system is not weather friendly, explaining that anytime the weather changes or it rains their system goes off, making work very difficult.

“The problem is a technical one and with the interconnectivity, the systems go off whenever the weather gets bad. This has been there since the inception of GCNet.

“Sometimes when the weather gets clear, it will work normal for about two months, but when it is raining, it goes off, when it’s stormy too same challenge. At other times too, you wouldn’t be able to determine what the problem is.”

System Failure Notifications

Sometimes GCNet sends notification messages to all importers and the stakeholders about the breakdown of their systems and apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

One of such notifications intercepted by Crusading Guide reads: “Dear Valued Client, we are currently experiencing a technical challenge which is affecting access to GICCS and EMDA portal we are taking urgent steps to restore service and will keep you updated when resolved. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Another message read: “Dear Valued Client, Processing time for declaration in GICCS is taking longer than normal. We do appreciate your patience as we take steps to normalize it. We apologize for the inconvenience caused”.

The paper has learnt that this year alone, from January to June 2017, about 12 notifications have been sent out due to system breakdown.

Sometimes they don’t send notifications to clients at all when the system breaks down, the paper gathered.

With the frequent breakdown of GCNet system, it appears the Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s announcement for paperless at port by September 2017 will not be jeopardy.