Shipper committee worried about introduction of G-Cap

Executives of the Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) yesterday  visited the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in Accra and held discussions relating to the implementation of the Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme (G-CAP).

Led by its Chairperson, Ms Adobea Asiamah- Aboagye, the visit was also to throw more light on the impact of the policy on the business of importers in Ghana.

The delegation was received by the Deputy Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Kingsley Inkoom; the Business and Foreign Editor of the Daily Graphic, Ms Kate Baaba Hudson; the Editor of the Graphic Business, Mr Theophilus Yartey; and his assistant, Mr Charles Benoni Okine.

Ms Asiamah- Aboagye explained that the implementation of the G-CAP is being championed by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) in partnership with Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) and Bureau Veritas (BV).

It is supposed to help prevent the importation of unsafe, sub-standard and counterfeit goods into the country, she noted.

However, she said, the introduction will come with a lot of problems to add up to the already burdened situation, in terms of adding on cost and delays.

Its implementation, which was supposed to take effect at the beginning of this month, has been suspended.

Mr Inkoom, for his part, said the discussion would go a long way to educate the public on issues relating to shipping in the country as well as other areas of concern. 

“There are laws and arrangements in shipping, so we decided to have a discussion and through it we can come out with certain issues that will educate the public in an attempt to influence decisions in that area,” he said.

On the concerns raised on the implementation of G-CAP, he explained that there was the need for more consultations with all the parties involved to address all the discrepancies. 

“What needs to be done is more consultation; if there are any problems with the destination inspection we are doing now, that needs to be rectified. If these government agencies also have to look at ways to raise revenue, then we need to look at how to do it so it doesn’t bring unnecessary costs to importers,” he said.

He added that there was the need for the GSA to engage each and every person involved in shipping so they could come to an amicable settlement.