Support port reforms: Freight forwarders charged

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, has called on freight forwarding trade associations to support the government’s revenue mobilisation efforts by embracing port reforms.

He said such reforms, anchored on economic growth, diversification and job creation, could not be achieved without the support of such groups which played an important role in the country’s international trade facilitation.

Mr Kyerematen, who made the call in a speech read on his behalf by one of his deputies, Nana Dokua Asiamah-Adjei, at the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Customs House Agents (ACHAG) at Peduase, near Aburi in the Akwapim South District, said the development of an efficient and integrated multi-modal infrastructure, supported by energy, water systems and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), would enhance the country’s competitiveness in the promotion of intra-regional trade.

Digitalisation

Speaking on the theme, “Digitalisation of Customs Process, a Tool for Revenue Mobilisation”, Mr Kyerematen indicated that modern and efficient ports and harbours ought to be anchored on digitalisation.

Such, he said, had been helpful to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in achieving its 2021 target in spite of the negative effects COVID-19 had on businesses and international trade.

“It is commendable to note that ACHAG and other related trade associations have supported the government in the digitisation reforms of our ports and harbours,” Mr Kyerematen said, urging them to continue to support the processes as they rolled out new modules in the port clearance management system.

ACHAG

The President of ACHAG, Mr Yaw Kyei, said the lack of uniformity in the working hours of the various terminals at the country’s ports was defeating the efficiency and revenue maximisation goals at the port.

Similarly, the multiple cargo examination by various players continued to be a setback to the joint examination promised, leading to the continuous human interference and cumbersome examinations which led to delays.

“What is the use of digitisation if it is deployed but cannot be used in some processes that can help create seamless transactions?” Mr Kyei queried.

Recalcitrance

A few recalcitrant members of the freight forwarding business, the President of ACHAG said, were still living in the past, doing all they could to deprive the government of revenue.

“Under some form of influence and pressure, we give in and compromise on our professional standards, forgetting that our actions and inactions can determine the pace of national development,” Mr Kyei noted.

He challenged the freight forwarding fraternity to be mindful that they owed it a duty to the nation to pay the right revenue to the State.