A Deputy Minister for Trades and Industry, Murtala Mohammed has revealed that a committee has been set up by government to ensure that the number of check points at the various ports does not not exceed ten.
There are about 23 check points in the country but the Ministry however believes these numerous checkpoints at various ports makes it cumbersome for both importers and exporters to clear their goods at the ports.
[contextly_sidebar id=”0ml7JfQAf1V5mrioT7Hi4kZkHmHTJT3s”]The Deputy Minister who made this known at a meeting with the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana, in Tema said the move therefore forms part of measures to make the import and export processes easier and simpler.
“This is something that is affecting imports and exports. It is affecting businesses. People bring in goods and they have to go through 22 or 23 checkpoints before they have their goods cleared. We from the Ministry believe that we can do away with some of the checkpoints and that is why the Committee was set up,” the Minister explained.
He said the Ministry will hold a series of meetings to find ” a clear way out”
Meanwhile the implementation of the Advanced Shipment Information System(ASHI) is expected to be fully implemented at the various ports by next month.
The ASHI is an electronic platform by which relevant shipment information is received in advance of a vessel’s arrival to facilitate pre-arrival clearance processes.
It also helps minimize the cost of doing business at the country’s ports and reduce delays.
The implementation of the policy was delayed due to some few challenges but the Ministry has announced that the policy will be in full gear by next month.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana