G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
1 August 2019  
(19-5051) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM GHANA  
The following communica tion, dated  30 July 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the delegation 
of Ghana for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 4 January 2017 (WT/PCTF/N/GHA/1), in which Ghana 
indicated its category A commitments, the Government of the Republic of Ghana hereby makes the 
following notifications in response to  Article s 15 and 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(WT/L/931).  
 
  
  G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
- 2 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
Article 1.1  Publication  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support to pass Legislation, Develop Policy 
framework ; Human Resources/Training ; 
Information and Communication 
Technologies ; (ICT) and Infrastructure 
equipment  
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for: Policy framework for publication 
of information on the internet; Set up 
procedures for publication; Human 
Resources/Training; ICT and Infrastructure 
equipment  
 
Complementary support for the dissemination 
of information in French and Spanish  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points C 22 September  2020 To be determined  Support for: Development of Policy 
framework and procedures, ICT and 
Infrastructure equipment; Human 
Resources/Training for personnel manning 
the Enquiry points  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy framework 
and procedures ; ICT and Infrastructure 
equipment ; Human Resources/Training for 
personnel manning Notification Point. 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information bef ore Entry into Force and Consultations   
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy 
framework, mechanism and procedures for 
consultations with Traders  
Article 2.2  Consultations  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy framework 
and procedures  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy framework 
and procedures ; ICT and Infrastructure 
equipment ; Human Resources/Training for 
Customs Officials  
 
Support to create mechanisms to safeguard 
institutional memory in the area of advance 
rulings (ICT) infrastructure for data storage 
and filing processes)  
  
  G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
- 3 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Support for buildi ng the capacity of traders so 
as to adequately help them understand issues 
pertaining to advance rulings  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy 
framework; set up Institutions for appeals; 
Draw up procedures for appeal  
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for Development of Policy framework 
and procedures and Operational Manuals ; 
Information Communication Technology  and 
Infrastructure equipment ; Human 
Resources/Training for personnel for Joint 
Inspection  
Article 5.2  Detention  B 22 June 2020 22 December 2021  - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 22 September 2020  To be determined  Support for Development of Policy framework 
and procedures for the personnel of the Test 
Institutions – Ghana Revenue Authority  - 
Customs Division (GRA -CD), Ghana 
Standards Authority (GSA), Food and Drugs 
Authority (FDA)  
Article 6  Disciplines on Fees and  Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  C 22 February 2022  To be determined  Support for legal review and harmonization of 
mandates of institutions ; Development of 
Policy framework and procedures ;Training for 
officials on Cost -based accounting on fees and 
charges  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  C 22 February 2022  To be determined  Support for the further streamlining and 
harmonization of procedures and processes 
with respect to fees and charges  
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for: Development of procedures; ICT 
and Infrastructures  equipment; Huma n 
Resources/Training for Custom s Officials and 
stakeholders  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support for: Development of procedures for 
e-payment; ICT and Infrastructure equipment 
so as to secure inter -bank and multi -platform 
online payments   
  G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
- 4 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  B 22 June 2020 22 December 2021  - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 22 September  2020 To be determined  Support to outline and harmonize sustainable 
Risk Management procedures and processes 
needed to identify risks and adequately 
classify them;  
 
Support to procure ICT infrastructure 
(modern scanners) and equipment, likewise 
train and build capacities of relevant 
stakeholders in Risk Management  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 22 September  2020 To be determined  Support for: the development of procedure s 
and for carrying out capacity building 
initiatives so as to ensure that Post Clearance 
Audit (PCA) related concerns are accurately 
dealt with by G hana Revenue Authority – 
Customs  Division  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 22 August  2020 To be determined  Support for carrying out capacity building 
programmes and the development of a policy 
framework (legal) and a manual of 
procedures to spell out the needed steps to be 
undertaken by G hana Revenue Authority - 
Customs Division in ensuring compliance with 
the article  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 22 February 202 1 To be determined  Support needed to organize World Customs 
Organization ( WCO) experts facilitated 
training programmes for officers in the 
validation process;  
 
Support for development of policy 
frameworks and procedures for Customs and 
other regulatory agencies; and  
 
Support to set up a dedicated desk 
(secretariat) with support to p rocure the 
requisite ICT infrastructure needed to meet 
the needs of operators and other relevant 
institutions   
  G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
- 5 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 22 August 2020 To be determined  Support to review existing procedures in 
relation to expedited shipments to take into 
consideration institutions and regulatory 
agencies such as Plant Protection and 
Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD ) of 
Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), 
Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) etc.  
 
Support for carrying out training and capacity 
building initiative by the Courier Team (Single 
Window platform operator/s for both old and 
new stakeholders; and  
 
Support to establish a Customs laboratory at 
the cargo t erminal (cargo handlers)  
Article 7.9  Perishable G oods C 22 February 2022  To be determined  Support for development of a policy 
framework and procedures for Customs and 
other regulatory agencies and stakeholders 
likewise support for procurement of standard 
scanners to meet international standards  
 
Support for procurement of standardized ICT 
infrastructure and equipment to monitor 
perishables and ensure temperature 
regulations  
 
Support for development of simplified export 
procedures and associated tr aining and 
sensitization programmes for officers and 
stakeholders  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 22 February 202 1 To be determined  Support to pass national legislations 
(benchmarking and case studies informed by 
best practices), develop policy framework  in 
the establishment of integrated border 
management t eams to identify required 
stakeholders and formalize linkages;  
 
Support for procurement of ICT infrastructure 
and communication tools to enhance 
intelligence gathering and information  
  G/TFA/N/GHA/1  
 
- 6 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
sharing; and Support for procurement of 
vehicle s to enhance mobility and 
coordination.  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for I mport  under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 22 June 2020 To be determined  Support to undertake capacity building 
initiatives facilitated by WCO experts to help 
Ghana become compli ant with  the Revised 
Kyoto Convention (RKC)  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 22 June 2020 22 July 2021  - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  B 22 August  2020 22 July 2021  - 
Article 10.4  Single Window  B 22 August  2020 22 July 2021  - 
Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  B 22 June 2020 22 July 2021  - 
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  A - - - 
Article 10.8  Rejected G oods A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 B 22 June 2020 22 July 2021  - 
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
 C 22 September 2020 To be determined  Support for development of a legal framework 
within which information sharing and 
intelligence in the context of Customs 
Cooperation could be enhanced  
 
__________