About 56 trucks loaded with various goods have been locked at the Elubo border following a new directive that has been enforced by La Cote D’Ivoire.
A letter signed by the Head of Shipper Services at the Ghana Shippers Authority, Sylvia Asana Owu indicated that the government of the republic of La Cote D’Ivoire has begun enforcing an existing directive requiring all cargoes originating from non-ECOWAS countries and destined to La Cote D’Ivoire to be cleared only at the seaports of La Cote D’Ivoire.
The statement further said “in view of the enforcement of this directive by the Ivoirian authorities, trucks carrying cargoes destined for La Cote D’Ivoire but originating from non-ECOWAS countries and not in transit through La Cote D’Ivoire would not be allowed clearance at the land borders for entry into La Cote D’Ivoire.
The Ghana Shippers Authority has however served notice to all transit operators, freight forwarders and the shipping community to be conscious of this development as they work with the Transport Ministry and other Ivorian counterparts to find a solution to the problem.
Speaking to Citi News, Ms Owu said the directive is having adverse effects on operations.
“….you can imagine the effects this has on the country as a whole because most of the operators are Ghanaians, so certainly it is going to have an implication on operators in this country,” she explained.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana