Shippers Bemoan High Business Cost

Robin Huws Barnes, Takoradi Branch Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, has indicated that the high cost of doing business at the country’s ports and borders was a major source of worry to the Authority.

According to him, the current situation has rendered most shippers in the country non-competitive.

He said illegitimate and indiscriminate charges by some service providers, cumbersome clearance procedures and delays in the processing of cargo documents, among others, contribute to the high cost of doing business in Ghana.

Mr Barnes stated this during a forum organized by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority on the National Single Window proposal.

It was attended by exporters and importers, regulatory organizations, as well as members of the Western and Central Shipper’s committee.

The forum created the platform for service providers and stakeholders to interact and find solutions to some of the challenges confronting the industry.

The Ghana National Single Window project is being implemented by West Blue Consulting to streamline clearance procedures at the port of entry.

The branch manager stated that efforts by stakeholders so far to streamline clearance procedures have not attained the efficiency level anticipated by the sippers.

“It is for this that the launch of the Ghana National Single Window project in December, 2015 was welcomed by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority,” he noted.

He explained that the project provided another opportunity to improve the clearance process at the ports and entreated all stakeholders to support in its successful implementation in Ghana.

He added that the introduction of the Ghana Community Network (GCNet) system was to ensure quick processing of customs clearance documentation to reduce the wastage associated with clearing goods.

Mr. Barnes urged shippers to do the right thing by engaging the services of reputable shipping service providers, adding, “We entreat our shippers to consult the authority to guide them in their business transactions decisions.”

Adedapo Adegoke, Domain Expert and Customs Liaison Manager of the National Single Window, stressed that the project would help reduce corruption, ensure compliance, allow for coordinated border management and inspection, as well as effective collaboration.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi