Customs in Ghana and the wider banking community recognize the inherent risks associated with paper documents, particularly risk of fraud, and insist on the submission of all data electronically. Mr Yankyera of the Customs Division noted that: “Documents such as bills of lading, among others, issued by the shipping lines can be forged and equally manipulated and as a result they are submitted electronically to Customs from source so that the documents can be easily verified and authenticated”.

Full article: http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2012/04/13/ghana-customs-to-set-up-electronic-platform-for-trade-documents/