Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Acting Director General of GPHA, is focused on reforms to reduce operational costs and enhance competitiveness at Ghana’s ports. He aims to streamline operations and implement a 24-hour economy model. Efforts to collaborate with stakeholders and alleviate burdens on traders are pivotal for attracting business back to Ghana’s ports.
Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, the Acting Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), is committed to implementing reforms designed to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports. His strategies are aligned with the government’s goal of achieving a 24-hour economy by streamlining operations.
Freight forwarders, traders, and shipping agents face significant challenges due to high import duties, taxes, and various charges at the Tema and Takoradi ports. This has led some importers to conduct their business at the ports of Togo and Abidjan, thereby reducing revenue at Ghana’s ports.
To address these issues, Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono is taking proactive steps to devise practical solutions. He noted that the government has already removed certain taxes and COVID-19 related levies to alleviate the financial strains on traders.
This announcement came during a visit from the Leadership of the Importers and Exporters Association in Tema. The Acting Director General emphasized that efforts are underway to minimize demurrage costs and other preventable charges, asserting the importance of stakeholder collaboration in policy implementation.
Furthermore, Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono highlighted ongoing discussions to establish a 24-hour operational system at the Tema Port. Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, expressed support for these reforms and emphasized the necessity of engaging stakeholders regarding the 24-hour agenda. He remarked that the current budget reflects the government’s commitment to export-driven economic growth, and that opportunities should be seized to address the high number of empty containers leaving the country.
In conclusion, Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono’s proactive approach aims to reform the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to reduce operational costs and enhance competitiveness. Addressing the challenges faced by freight forwarders and traders is essential for attracting business back to Ghana’s ports. With the introduction of a 24-hour operational system and collaboration with stakeholders, the future of Ghana’s port operations appears promising.
Original Source: www.gbcghanaonline.com
