By Evelyn Arthur
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to working together to reduce the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, attract more local and transit customers, and support the government’s economic reset agenda.
The commitment was revealed during a working visit by the Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, to GPHA, where he engaged with the Director-General of GPHA, Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, and his management team. Discussions centred on addressing operational inefficiencies that increase costs for importers, ultimately impacting consumers.
Prof. Gyampo stressed the need to identify and eliminate bottlenecks that cause delays and additional expenses. “One clear issue from my stakeholder engagements is the high cost of doing business. President Mahama has openly committed to minimising these costs; and I believe if we work together, we can achieve this,” he stated.
Brigadier-General Tanye-Kulono reiterated his call for the removal of VAT and COVID-19 taxes on transit and transshipment goods, arguing that such charges discourage business. “It makes little sense to tax goods that only pass through our ports for a short period before moving to other destinations. Many transit clients prefer Ghana’s ports, but these taxes are a major concern,” he noted.
He further expressed confidence in the government’s plan to establish a 24-hour economy and hoped that tax reductions would facilitate smoother clearance of goods. He also called for regular engagements between GPHA and GSA to explore ways to improve port competitiveness, enhance trade facilitation and support job creation.
The collaboration between the two institutions is expected to strengthen Ghana’s maritime sector, making the country’s ports more attractive within the sub-region while contributing to national economic growth.
