On the back of persistent complaints, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has initiated steps to mitigate the incidents of harassment cattle traders from the northern regions experience at the hands of Ghana Police Service personnel while transporting their goods to the south.
The measures include meeting with Police officials from the district level to the Regional Command of Upper West Region to apprise them of the challenges faced by traders.
Additionally, the GSA identified and flagged specific checkpoints where such issues persist for the necessary action to be taken.
Officers of the GSA-Tamale Branch, who randomly patrol the roads to inquire about the reasons for stopping and delaying transit trucks, facilitated the prompt resolution of issues that arose and enabled the trucks’ speedy release.
Led by Mr. Abdul-Karim Muhsin, the GSA officers went on a routine random visit on Wednesday 30th August 2023 to assess the challenges faced by traders along the transit corridor, and urged cattle traders to utilise the E-Platform – a system developed by the GSA and Borderless Alliance to seek real-time assistance.
The E-platform facilitates monitoring non-tariff barriers and aids speedy resolutions of complaints from traders and truck drivers. It also allows shippers, agents, hauliers and other corridor operators to report difficulties in real-time by calling a designated number, as well as to seek clarification on other operational matters.
The cattle traders were urged to keep the E-Platform’s contact number (0547383875) on speed-dial for use in situations where they encounter difficulties with the police. These actions were prompted by numerous complaints lodged by cattle dealers during a routine visit by officers from the Tamale Branch of the GSA on Wednesday 30th August 2023. The visit’s purpose was to assess the challenges faced by these traders and devise solutions.
Mr. Abdul-Karim Muhsin assured cattle traders that the Tamale Branch is actively exploring alternative interventions to further reduce instances of police harassment. Details of these initiatives will be made public in due course.
The cattle traders expressed their gratitude to GSA for intervening, acknowledging that the intervention will enhance their operations and contribute to overall improvements in transit trade.
