Government to streamline port charges
Government, according to the Deputy Minister of Transport, Frederick Obeng Adom is earnestly working on streamlining port charges to help reduce shipping and logistics cost in the country.
According to the Deputy Minister, the move is critical as it is an avenue the nation can maximise revenue if collection procedures and the cost attached to services are made more flexible.
Addressing the issue at the 4th edition of the Ghana Shippers’ Awards, the Deputy Minister stated, “The move this year to streamline charges at the port and reduce cost is one of the key interventions that government is keen on implementing to ensure that shippers and shipping services providers remain competitive in the global shipping and logistics industry.”
He noted that in February this year a team of stakeholders comprising the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) toured the sub-regional port of Dakar, Lome and Lagos to gather data on port charges and other fees.
“The aim was to give Ghana a comparative view in the ongoing process of reviewing the structure of our port cost and its implication on shippers and shipping service providers. Government has received the report and it is receiving the attention from the economic management team,” he remarked.
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On her part, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Benonita Bismarck acknowledged the fact that the sector has gone through some torrid times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed optimism for the future as the shipping and logistics sector has proven to be resilient and adapted to the new normal quickly.
“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, I wish to use this opportunity to salute and congratulate all importers, exporters and shipping service providers for their perseverance and continued dedication to their work during this abnormal period. We are all winners as we have been able to face the pandemic through innovative ideas and business solutions,” she said.
The 4th Ghana Shippers Awards was organised by Globe Productions in partnership with the GSA, Maritime Authority, GPHA with support from Graphic News.
