The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating in reducing the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports.

This partnership aims to enhance the efficiency and attractiveness of the ports for both local and transit customers while fostering socio-economic growth in line with the government’s economic reset agenda.

The collaboration forms part of broader efforts to make Ghana’s ports more competitive within the sub-region, facilitate trade, and contribute to national economic development.

The renewed commitment was highlighted during a working visit by Professor Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, to the GPHA. During the visit, he engaged with Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Director General of the GPHA, and his management team to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Discussions focused on strategic measures to minimize the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports, address challenges affecting their attractiveness, and reinforce their critical role in the nation’s maritime industry.

Professor Gyampo stressed the importance of identifying operational bottlenecks and implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate delays, noting that inefficiencies often lead to additional costs for importers, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.

He emphasized that engagement with stakeholders had consistently highlighted concerns over the high cost of doing business at the ports. He expressed confidence that a strong partnership between the GSA and GPHA could help address these issues, aligning with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono reiterated his previous appeal to the Minister of Transport for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and COVID-19-related taxes on transit and transshipment goods.

He questioned the rationale behind taxing transshipment goods that only spend a short time in Ghana’s ports before moving to other destinations.

“On transshipment goods, for instance, I do not understand why goods that are spending just a few minutes in Ghana’s ports on their way to other locations should be taxed. The same applies to transit goods. My discussions with transit agents and clients indicate a strong preference for Ghana’s ports, but excessive taxes on transit goods discourage their use. This cannot continue,” he stated.

He expressed optimism about the government’s resolve to implement a 24-hour economy, arguing that the removal of such taxes would ensure the swift clearance of goods, alleviate financial burdens on importers, and facilitate trade.

The GPHA Director General also called for frequent engagements between the two institutions to explore practical ways of making Ghana’s ports more attractive in support of the government’s 24-hour economy and job creation agenda.

“I believe we must prioritize the national interest and the welfare of our stakeholders to ensure optimal service delivery. By working together, we can create a more competitive and business-friendly environment at our ports,” he concluded.