By Edward Dankwah
Accra, July 1, GNA – Key agencies within Ghana’s shipping and logistics value chain have pledged to address the major challenges driving up the cost of doing business at the country’s ports following a stakeholder engagement organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in Accra.
The meeting brought together government institutions and private sector operators whose activities directly influence the efficiency of cargo clearance and port operations.
The forum was convened to deliberate on concerns raised by importers, exporters, and trade associations during a series of consultations held by the GSA as part of its second-quarter stakeholder engagements.
A statement issued by the Authority said the concerns were gathered during meetings with shippers classified into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and bronze categories based on their import and export volumes, as well as representatives of various trade associations.
The concerns included port congestion, delays caused by multiple inspections and regulatory procedures, bureaucratic bottlenecks, documentation fraud, corruption, and the imposition of informal charges.
According to the statement, these challenges continue to increase the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports and undermine the country’s competitiveness as a regional trade and transit hub.
Representatives from the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), among other institutions, participated in the discussions and responded to issues raised by stakeholders.
Mrs. Abena Serwaa Opoku-Fosu, Deputy Marketing Manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, announced that the Authority would waive rent charges on cargo affected by port congestion to ease the financial burden on shippers.
She said the GPHA was also continuing investments to modernise the Tema and Takoradi ports to improve cargo movement and enhance operational efficiency.
Major Adams Suleman, National Security Coordinator at Tema Port, assured stakeholders that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee the safe movement of goods and ensure that security personnel discharged their duties professionally.
Mr. Kofi Baidoo, representing the Ministry of Finance, assured participants that genuine appeals arising from discrepancies associated with the Republican AI Duty System would receive prompt attention.
He urged shippers to investigate such challenges to submit formal complaints to enable the appropriate authorities to investigate and resolve them expeditiously.
Mrs. Monica Josiah, Head of the Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Department of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, said the Authority would continue to gather concerns from shippers and shipping service providers and engage the relevant institutions to ensure that commitments made at the forum translated into measurable improvements.
Participants agreed that reducing the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports remained essential to enhancing the country’s competitiveness and strengthening its position as a preferred trade and transit gateway for land-linked countries in the sub-region.
They are also committed to sustaining dialogue and monitoring progress on the agreed actions through subsequent quarterly stakeholder engagements.
The participating agencies further reaffirmed their commitment to the automation of port processes and pledged to act swiftly on allegations of corruption whenever such complaints were formally reported.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu