Transit fraud must be blocked – Customs officers from destination countries operate in Ghana's ports | General news

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced the government's intention to implement the first port rule in Ghana's ports to combat smuggling from diverted goods supposedly destined for landlocked countries such as as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. He explained that under the First Port Rule, customs officers from landlocked countries will be stationed in Ghana's ports, and the importer will be directed to the appropriate country office to pay if that is the case. 39, is a transit property.

Fighting Corruption when he delivered the opening address at the 39th Council and Conference of the Ports Management Association of West Africa and the Accumulation Center in Accra yesterday.

According to him, studies have shown that either unloaded and sold within Ghana or sent by unauthorized routes to such destinations, thereby depriving Ghana and the final destination of the necessary S addressing to participants, including port managers from 15 countries in West Africa and Central Africa, as well as representatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and others. Stakeholders, Vice President Bawumia lamented the high level of corruption badociated with transit trade.

"There is so much traffic pbading through transit trade to neighboring countries like Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, not only does Ghana lose, but other countries also lose income when Unauthorized roads are used. "

For the most part, goods never leave Ghana. Ghana will introduce the rule of the first customs port before the end of the year. Under this rule, the customs authorities of our neighboring countries will be present in our port.

"So, if an importer claims to go to Mali or Burkina Faso, he will simply go to the offices of Mali or Burkina Faso and pay his fees," said Vice President Bawumia.

The Vice President underlined Ghana's commitment to improve its trade relations with its neighbors, particularly those in the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with a series of trade missions to these countries to strengthen their ties and demonstrate their commitment to

Vice President Bawumia urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to effectively implement the policy of loading by axle, which requires all member countries to limit the load capacity of a six-axle truck to 60 tons, to prevent the destruction of roads.

In his opening address, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Port and Port Authority (GPHA), Mr Michael Lugujes said the Council's annual meeting is the first meeting to add a component of exhibition where various ports in badociations and allied companies can present their operations and s speaking on this year's theme, "Best Practices in Land Management and Port Domains" he stated that the GPHA has currently recovered about 110 hectares of land at the port of Tema and about 61.9 hectares of land at Takoradi Port

He added that the GPHA has put in place critical political decisions to continue the program of Increased capacity of Ghana's ports and operational facility to facilitate international businesses in the sub-region.

Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said that the Government of Ghana, as a means of straightening the national economy, has launched programs to improve infrastructure to improve the efficient delivery of services in the ports.

that the Government, through the GPHA, undertakes an expansion of the ports of Tema and Takoradi to meet the growing demand for cargo handling and new oil and gas exploration services.

million. Asiamah added that the government, to encourage the private sector in infrastructure development, has encouraged private sectors to develop new ports to support existing ports and also to meet growing demand in ports and ports.

He also advised the GPHA to develop adequately the port infrastructure and equipment required to meet the growing demands of the shipping industry