Port inspection delays increasing cost of doing business – ICC Ghana

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Ghana has highlighted that delays at Ghana's ports due to inspection procedures are increasing the time and cost of conducting business. Emmanuel Doni-Kwame, the Secretary-General of ICC Ghana, addressed this matter at a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

Doni-Kwame emphasized the necessity for enhanced coordination among various agencies responsible for inspecting goods at the ports. Despite Ghana's ratification of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement, a considerable number of containers still undergo inspections, leading to delays in clearing goods. This situation affects importers, freight forwarders, and other businesses reliant on efficient port operations.

Doni-Kwame pointed out that the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program offers a pathway to lessen the need for unnecessary inspections by fostering trust between Customs and businesses with a history of compliance. He suggested that businesses with lower-risk profiles should be supported to qualify under the AEO program, thereby enabling their goods to benefit from faster clearance channels.

ICC Ghana plans to collaborate with the Customs Division to identify companies capable of being designated as Authorized Economic Operators and to bolster their capacity to meet the necessary standards. Doni-Kwame also advocated for improved coordination among agencies involved in joint inspections, proposing that the agency responsible for the prolonged delay should lead the coordination of inspection schedules to ensure that relevant agencies inspect consignments concurrently.

He emphasized that such coordination could alleviate congestion and expedite turnaround times at the ports. Doni-Kwame concluded by stating that Ghana's competitiveness in both regional and international trade is contingent to a significant extent on the efficiency and predictability of its logistics systems.