By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, May 20, GNA – Major General Paul Seidu Tanye Kulono, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and his delegation have paid a courtesy call on Ghana’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Kenneth Akibate.
The visit took place when the delegation participated in the 22nd edition of Burkina Faso’s National Culture Week.
Burkina Faso remains Ghana’s largest transit trade partner, with a long-standing commercial relationship supported by the use of Ghana’s ports as the preferred gateway for Burkinabè imports and exports.
The Director-General briefed the ambassador on GPHA’s annual trade mission to Burkina Faso, noting that traders raised several concerns during last year’s engagement regarding the use of Ghana’s ports and the transit corridor.
He explained that following the mission, GPHA worked with key institutions, including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Police Service, to address some of the operational challenges raised by traders.
Major General Kulono said this year’s trade mission is likely to take place in the third quarter, adding that GPHA will continue to engage the embassy to reassure traders and the people of Burkina Faso of Ghana’s commitment to improving port efficiency and trade facilitation.
On his part, Ambassador Akibate expressed satisfaction with the goodwill and hospitality extended to Ghanaians in Burkina Faso, despite having served in office for less than a year.
He attributed the warm relations to the strong diplomatic ties between Ghana and Burkina Faso, recalling President John Dramani Mahama’s invitation to President Traoré to attend his presidential inauguration, which he said further strengthened bilateral relations.
The ambassador also commended the GPHA delegation for participating in the cultural celebrations and engaging the Ghanaian business community to address transit-related concerns.
He noted that GPHA’s continued presence and engagement in Burkina Faso reinforces Ghana’s position as a reliable transit hub within the sub-region.
Major General Kulono and the ambassador later met members of the Ghanaian community in Bobo-Dioulasso, where they listened to their concerns.
Some traders complained about frequent checkpoints, delays, and harassment encountered during the transportation of goods along the transit corridor.
Responding, the Director-General said similar concerns had been raised by Burkinabè traders using the Ghanaian corridor.
He noted that through sustained stakeholder engagement, intergovernmental collaboration, and government commitment to maintaining Ghana’s ports as the preferred transit option, progress had been made, including the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods in transit.
He assured traders of continued engagement to further improve trade facilitation and address operational bottlenecks along the corridor.
According to him, prior to the visit, he held discussions with the Inspector-General of Police, who briefed him on measures implemented to ensure the safety and smooth movement of trucks along the corridor.
As part of the visit, the delegation also toured GPHA’s newly refurbished office in Ouagadougou, where they were received by the GPHA representative to Burkina Faso, Mr Pius Owusu.
Following an inspection of the facility, Major General Tanye Kulono urged staff to remain committed to excellence and continue positioning GPHA as the preferred gateway for transit trade within the sub-region.
The delegation included members of GPHA’s management team and a representative of the GPHA Governing Board, Mr Dan Abdul Latif, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo