Accra: The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Ghana Shippers' Authority (GSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in reducing the cost of doing business at Ghana's ports. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of the ports to customers, both local and transit, and to foster socio-economic growth in line with the government's economic reset agenda.
According to Ghana News Agency, the collaboration between GPHA and GSA is part of significant steps to make Ghana's ports more competitive within the sub-region, supporting trade facilitation and contributing to national economic growth. The reaffirmation of this commitment was highlighted when Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, paid a working visit to the GPHA. During the visit, he interacted with Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, the Director General of the GPHA, and the management team on issues of mutual interest.
The visit provided an opportunity to deliberate on strategic approaches to minimizing the cost of doing business at Ghana's ports and on issues affecting the attractiveness of Ghana's ports and their significant role in the nation's maritime industry. Prof. Gyampo emphasized the need for both institutions to identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable solutions to mitigate delays. He noted that inefficiencies in the system often led to additional costs for importers, which are transferred to consumers.
Prof. Gyampo highlighted that interacting with various stakeholders revealed issues related to the high cost of doing business. He noted that collaboration between the GSA and the GPHA could help minimize such costs in line with President John Dramani Mahama's intentions of reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
Brigadier General Tanye-Kolono, the Director General for GPHA, reiterated his earlier call on the Transport Minister to assist in the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Covid-19 taxes from transit goods as well as certain taxes on transshipment goods. He questioned the rationale behind taxing transshipment goods that spend minimal time in Ghana's ports before moving to other destinations. His interactions with transit agents and clients indicated a strong preference for Ghana's ports, despite the burden of taxes on transit goods.
He expressed hope in the government's resolve to boost a 24-hour economy, saying that removing such taxes would ensure the swift clearance of goods at the ports, alleviate the financial burden on importers, and facilitate trade. The GPHA's director-general called for frequent meetings between the two institutions to explore practical ways of making Ghana's ports more attractive, supporting the government's 24-hour economy and job creation agenda.
'I believe we must prioritize the national interest and the welfare of our stakeholders to ensure optimal service delivery. By working together, we can create a more competitive and business-friendly environment at our ports,' he stated.
