The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called on the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Commissioner of Customs to urgently address delays in container inspections at the Meridian Port Services (MPS), describing nine-hour inspection times as unacceptable.
According to the Association, excessive delays at the port are increasing the cost of doing business and undermining efforts to build a modern and efficient trading environment.
The Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said the Association had received complaints over the amount of time spent inspecting containers at MPS and urged Customs authorities to intervene.
“We cannot use nine hours on one container at MPS,” he said, stressing that such delays were inconsistent with the efficiency expected from Ghana’s modern port system.
He added: “Nine hours is unacceptable and we are calling on the Commissioner of Customs and the Commissioner-General to swiftly get to their men and women to do the right thing.”
The Association further called for greater use of available platforms at other port facilities to ease congestion and speed up the clearance of cargo.
“If MPS has the platforms, please those containers should go to Golden Jubilee or reefer containers of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for swift clearance process,” Mr Awingobit said.
The concerns come against the backdrop of Ghana’s continuing efforts to improve digitalisation and efficiency in customs administration. The Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which serves as the country’s electronic customs platform, is designed to streamline trade documentation, payments and cargo processing.
The Association, however, commended Ghana Link for what it described as significant improvements in the reliability of the ICUMS platform during the year under review.
The Association said that “from the beginning of the year to date” there had been “little or no major complaints” regarding port-clearance challenges associated with the Ghana Link system.
The Association said the improvement was particularly notable because Ghana Link had come under criticism in the previous year over similar challenges.
“We all recall how the company came under heavy criticism last year over similar challenges and how it assured stakeholders that adequate steps were taken to address our concerns,” the Association said.
The Importers and Exporters Association nevertheless cautioned that improvements in digital systems must be matched by investment in port infrastructure, security and efficient service delivery.
It said an efficient port system must not only protect national revenue but also reduce the cost of doing business, facilitate the movement of goods, improve investor confidence and support economic growth.
“We therefore encourage all stakeholders to work together to consolidate the gains, address emerging challenges and build a modern, efficient and business-friendly trade environment that supports Ghana’s economic development,” the Association said.
