The Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has organised a port efficiency conference for stakeholders in the port industry to deliberate on how to make the ports of Ghana efficient following complains of inefficiency at the ports of Ghana
Dr. Bawumia announced 3 major policy moves which are expected to change situations at Ghana's Ports significantly and improve trade facilitation and ease of doing business in the country.
Speaking at the end of a Port efficiency conference organised in Accra, Dr. Bawumia directed the customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to remove all customs barriers on the transit corridor.
This, he noted will clear all the barriers on the Ghana’s transit corridors, from Tema to Paga, Aflao, Hamle, Elubu and so on.
Secondly, he said, effective 1st September, 2017, there should be mandatory Joint inspection by regulatory agencies at Ghana’s Ports.
This is a departure from the situation where more than 16 agencies inspect imported items and extort from importers at the ports.
The Vice President further continued that from 1st September, 2017, Ghana is going 100% paperless at all of its Ports.
This, he noted will ensure electronic ways of transacting in the Port and eliminate physical contact with revenue officers.
Dr. Bawumia said in 4 weeks additional measures such the reduction of the number of agencies working in the Port should be announced.
The decision by government is seen as a bold decision that will drastically improve ease of doing business undoubtedly.
This is a move the Trading public have waited for in years.