The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has said it now has in place, stringent security measures to prevent unauthorized entry into Ghana’s ports, the Director General of the Authority, Richard Anamu has revealed.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Z1ATyGUiHP0ij89mAyw9kTEhNWk85t6X”]The security measures include the installation of electronic systems at almost all of its entry points to allow only persons with legal access to the ports.
The Authority’s move follows complaints that security at the ports is lax, creating room for persons who have no business there to make entry.
However speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Anamu said the electronic systems will address the challenge of unauthorized entry at the ports.
“What we have done is to give all those who have the legal rights to enter and do business at the ports…Clearing and forwarding agents, trucks … will have to use electronic means.We have installed electronic systems both at the gate and at the Golden Jubilee during which time, they will have to pass through some electronic systems before they can actually have access to the Ports
“If you don’t have that electronic cards together with your own finger, you cannot enter the Ports,”he explained.
Ports Authority frustrating our work
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, Sampson Asaaki Awingobit has accused the Authority of frustrating the work of exporters and importers who clear their good through the Tema port.
He said the continuous and consistent introduction of new charges without due stakeholder consultation coupled with the cumbersome process of clearing goods at the Tema port is making it ose most of its cargo to the Lome Port.
Speaking to Citi News, Awingobit said : “Just recently, the GPHA unilaterally increased export tariff to 10 percent…”
“What the GHPA has sought to do is that they dont want to respect stakeholders in this their business.The Ports Authority is doing in terms of expansion but the clearance fees keep increasing, ” he further lamented.
Awingobit was also not enthused about what he described as illegal charges at Ghana’s ports.
“There are proper taxes we pay at the ports and there are improper taxes that we pay at the ports and all these things are burdening importers and exporters.”
He also complained about the cumbersome nature of clearing goods at the port.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah