In a letter dated May 28^th addressed to all staff of GCNet reads: “You may recall that GCNet received notification from the government through the senior minister that with effect from April 28^th 2020, no declarations would be processed through GCMS, which constituted a termination of the Tradenet service.”   

The letter, which comes on the heels of the tech company’s contract been terminated by the government, have left about 150 employees jobless.

One of such employees [name withheld] who had worked with the American Company for almost six years, told this news site “I have lost my job!” The employees now are faced with the challenge of how to coup with life amid Coronavirus pandemic, to start all over again.

Hitherto to GCNet been forced out for UNIPASS to come in, it had a contract with the Ghana Government till December 31, 2023, as one of the service provider of the GCMS (Ghana Customs Management System) – Single Window Platform- at the ports.

The government introduction of UNIPASS would also affected West Blue Consult which runs the Single Window Platform with GCNet.  

However, the letter signed by GCNet Executive Chairman, Dr Nortey K. Omaboe, General Manager, Alwin Hoeberle, Deputy General Manager, Emmanuel Darko and Deputy General Manager, Carl Sackey, termination of the contract had attracted legal action against the state.

Despite all hopes hanged on law to seek justice, they said: “Consequently it is with regret that we finally confirm that with effect from June 1st 2020 GCNet will no longer be providing tradenet services on behalf of the government as you know this follows a long hear it this follows a long.”

Before things got messy, there were series of directives from the Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for a resumption of GCNet services, which created in a separate arrangements between the nets and the government for the senior service to resume on April 29 and be rendered till May 31st 2020.

The rest of the letter went on to say:

As you know, this follows a long of extreme uncertainty. Which has been characterised by both public and private discuss is over what should be the best course of action.

The reasons that have been given by the government are the existence of multiplicity of service providers with Ghana custom management space and legal landscape of many of these contracts.

 As you know the current tradenet contracts actually ends in December 31st 2023 and serves as the company’s intention to pursue all legal remedy for the breach of the contract.

Obviously and under such circumstances there will be a need for a radical re-adjustment over the next few days and resource structure of GCNet and the details will be communicated in the next few days.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the board and management of GC net we wish to thank all staff for deer forbearance over this particular difficult period and for their dedicated service since to the company over the years.

By Bernice Bessey