President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Mr. James Asare-Adjei has called on the Ministry of Transport to help ensure the promotion of smooth flow of freight at the country’s ports.
According to the AGI boss, there has to be proper systems and logistics to handle the flow of freight at the ports in order to enjoy the benefits that come with it. He stressed the need for supporting facilities to ensure access to information concerning management of freight services.
“We may all be aware that a region or country, seeking to participate and benefit from the opportunities associated with extended mobility of the factors of production must consciously put in place measures that promote efficiency in its international transport and logistics system. The need therefore for Smooth flow of freight in our ports and land borders as well as the availability of supporting facilities especially access to information to manage freight activities in Ghana cannot be overemphasised”
Terminal Handling Charges
The AGI president further reiterated the business community’s resentment at the introduction of the Terminal Handling Charges. According to him, world trade has steadily grown since the second half of the 20th century as a result of internationalization and that transport chains have increasingly been integrated into the global production system, adding however that Africa’s share of world seaborne trade from 2006-2013 averaged 8.3%. He added that the continent handled less than 1% of Global Container Traffic during the same period.
“This is quite worrying, and it is no secret that inadequate shipping and logistics infrastructure contributes largely to the continents abysmal performance. It is therefore worrying that some shipping lines and their agents here in Ghana have gone ahead with the introduction of the Terminal Handling Charges which will cost the already burdened Ghanaian Shipper over 78 million dollars per year and knowing the history behind those local charges it is anticipated that we are going to see further increases in charges in the coming years” he said
Other Challenges
Other equally worrying challenges facing the Ghanaian shipper include, interest charges on dutiable values whiles prevailing exchange rates are used in calculating duties paid, rent charges by customs while rent is paid at the various terminals where goods are kept, rational behind these charges and goods meant for warehousing not allowed to leave the ports after 3pm even though e-tracking devices are installed on vehicles carrying them. The AGI boss further expressed that, an “informed shipper is a competitive shipper” and called on all importers and exporters to take advantage of the new facilities and logistics provided at the Ghana Shippers House.
