The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Yaw Gyampo, has urged officers at Ghana’s borders not to undermine the country’s interests in international trade.
“Rather, all stakeholders should be committed to growing transit trade in Ghana’s interest to help generate revenue that can be channeled into development and lift the country from its quagmire of poverty and underdevelopment,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo emphasized: “No sabotage here… I am interested in growing Ghana so that our children and future generations can comfortably stay in their own country and take pride in our contributions to national development.”
The newly appointed CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority made these remarks during a visit to the freight park at the Elubo border in the Western Region. He engaged with key stakeholders responsible for regulating and promoting international trade at the border.
Boosting Ghana’s Export Market
Prof. Gyampo stated that expanding Ghana’s export market would be one of the key priorities of his administration to drive economic growth.
“We are here to fulfill the mandates of international trade,” he affirmed.
He also announced that the Legislative Instrument (LI) required to operationalize the Shippers Law, Act 1122 of 2024, would soon be finalized.
Preventing Foreign Takeover of Ghanaian Businesses
Prof. Gyampo further called for effective collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that businesses reserved for Ghanaians are not taken over by foreigners.
He commended the team at the border for their dedication to the trade sector and their commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s economic interests.
Infrastructure Challenges at the Elubo Border
Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Louis Dan Mennia, highlighted infrastructure challenges affecting the management of the ever-growing freight sector at the Elubo border.
He noted that the Elubo corridor is a highly active entry point and must be adequately resourced to handle the increasing daily cargo volumes efficiently.
“Our trucks are now mini trains, and this can be very dangerous if we have to manage both buses and these trucks during peak hours,” he cautioned.
Handling Explosives and Security Risks
Commander Mennia also raised concerns about the lack of designated spaces for the confinement of explosives that pass through the corridor.
“Our risk vulnerability analysis on handling explosives along the roads is a nightmare, and we must act swiftly to prevent future catastrophes,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Border Security Force was recognized for its coordinated efforts in reducing accidents caused by haphazard parking at the border.
Concerns Over Shipping Delays and Increased Costs
Stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with shipping line delays, which often result in demurrage and additional costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.
As Elubo is Ghana’s second-largest land border, there were calls to extend working hours to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in cargo handling.
Additionally, the border requires advanced machinery for surveillance, scanning, and processing to improve security and trade operations using modern technology.
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