Regional News of Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Source: GNA

Government urged to make clearing of goods easy

Agona Swedru, July 29, GNA - Mr. Joe De-Graft, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cargo Groupage Container, a German-based Freight Handling Company, has appealed to the government to make clearing of goods at Ghanaian ports easy.

Mr. De-Gratf said this could be done by removing some of the bureaucratic processes importers had to go through before clearing their goods.

Speaking to the GNA at Agona Swedru, the CEO said Ghanaian ports were congested because of the long processes one had to go through in clearing goods.

Recounting the cumbersome procedure his benefactor went through in bringing some items into the country from Germany for donation to a church, Mr. De-Graft said if the clearing procedure was not made less cumbersome, it could discourage a lot of philanthropists from bringing in items to support the needy in the society.

"Our people need some items from outside to ease their living conditions. If the clearing can be made a bit easier, a lot of our well-wishers abroad can ship some relief items to our people", he said.

Mr. De-Graft, who is also a scout for football talents for some clubs in Germany, described football as a very lucrative job these days and appealed to parents to encourage and support their children to go into the game.

He said he was ready to help footballers who wanted to play in Germany. The Rev. Dr. Obed Ahenafo, Founder and Leader of the Christ Abiding Ministry, and a friend to Mr. De-Graft, appealed to donor agencies for support for the ministry in its effort to establish a vocational training institute for the youth in the Agona District.