IEAG calls for urgent intervention to decongest ports

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has urged urgent intervention from the Chief of Staff to tackle port congestion and operational setbacks. This call comes as the association warns that the escalating issue could lead to a crisis, harming Ghana's trade competitiveness, revenue generation, and overall economy.

Speaking at a press conference, IEAG's Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awungobit, proposed a high-level delegation, including key ministers and heads of relevant agencies, to engage stakeholders and devise an immediate action plan. The assessment revealed that the congestion stemmed from systemic issues across customs valuation, inspections, regulatory charges, terminal operations, truck turnaround times, and inter-agency coordination.

IEAG suggested setting performance benchmarks such as maximum turnaround times for various processes and holding each agency accountable for its contribution to the clearance chain. Without immediate action, the association forewarned that the situation could worsen as Ghana nears the end of the year and the high-volume December trading period, potentially exacerbating inefficiencies and competitiveness challenges in the country's ports.