Number of agencies at ports to reduce
State agencies and other institutions involved in the examination of cargo at the ports are going to have their number reduced from 23 to about 14 to minimise the cumbersome processes that importers and exporters experience while clearing their goods.
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The proliferation of agencies which had become a major challenge in the clearing of goods at the ports, came to light at a workshop on corruption in the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) held at Ada, after a research on the perception of corruption in the service.
The agencies which serve as checkpoints, usually undertake roles such as clearing, cargo inspection, transit and trans-shipment of cargo.
They include the Customs Division of the GRA, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and other maritime -sector actors.
A representative of the Ghana Union of Trade Associations (GUTA), Mr George Ofori, bemoaned the challenges that importers encountered due to the many agencies operating at the ports.
Proposal before Parliament
Later in an interview, the Manager (Operations) of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA), Mr Abraham Mensah, said there seemed to be a duplication of roles by the 23 agencies.
He also noted that majority of the agencies were involved in the clearing process, which, he said, was the role of the Customs Division of the GRA.
That development, he further observed, was a contributory factor to the delay in the clearance of goods.
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According to Mr Mensah, GHAPOHA and the Ministry of Trade and Industry had held a number of meetings with the other agencies as part of the efforts to reduce the checkpoints at the ports.
He indicated that a proposal would be forwarded to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade to act on the matter.
Writer’s email: emelia.ennin@graphic.com.gh