An Accra Human Rights Court has dismissed an injunction application which sought to halt the implementation of government’s planned single window scheme at the ports.
According the ruling given by justice JA Okwabi on Monday, there was “nothing to protect as the contract had already been signed and ready to be implemented.”
How the West Blue deal unfolded:
July 2, 2015: The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in a letter directed the Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper to solely engage the West Blue consulting for the purposes of the single window implementation project for Ghana.
- The Controller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi D. I. CFR, in a letter, endorsed West Blue Consulting for the job.
July 10,2015: A legal practitioner and MP, Alex Afenyo Markin threatened to drag the state to court over the matter.
July 13, 2015: The Chairman of the Concerned Freight Forwarders Association, Dennis Sefa Amful said government erred in rushing to give the contract to West Blue Consulting.
- A clearing agent in Tema, Michael Kweku Djan sued government over the matter.
July 23, 20105: The Finance Minister Seth Tekper, defended government’s resolve to award the single window and risk management systems contract at the ports to West Blue Consulting.
July 27, 2015: The Attorney General (AG) challenged the jurisdiction of an Accra High Court to hear the case.
July 31, 2015: An Accra Fast Track Court struck out the West Blue case brought against the government.
August 1, 2015: The lawyers for the freight forwarder who dragged government to court said client may still pursue the matter although the court dismissed it.
August 4, 2015: The Destination Inspection Companies (DICs) at Ghana’s ports were subsequently directed to hand over.
August 6, 2015: Tema Port based Freight Forwarder, Michael Kweku Gyan, went back to court with fresh lawsuits targeted at stopping the planned West Blue deal with the Government of Ghana.
August 10, 2015: A senior official of the Ministry of Finance disclosed the signing of the agreement of Ghana’s Single Window Project.
July 12, 2015: Lawyer for the Freight Forwarder, Alex Afenyo Markin described as an error, the decision by government to proceed with the contract.
August 27, 2015: The Chief Executive Officer for West Blue Consulting Limited, Madam Valentina Mintah promised efficient delivery of the nation’s single window project.
August 28, 2015: Workers of the five destination inspections called on government to allow the Ghana Revenue Authority employ them to avert job losses.
August 29, 2015: Over 500 employees working with DICs will lose their jobs following government’s directive for the company to hand over to West Blue Consulting.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana