GPHA to streamline processes at Tema Port
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), has adopted short-term measures to streamline clearing processes at the Tema Port.
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As part of the measures , the GPHA is installing a container management system to help in easy identification of containers which arrive at the port.
The authority would also develop inland depots which would have scanners to speed up the process of clearing goods .
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Tema , the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of the Tema Port, Mr Paul Asare Ansah, explained that the GPHA would liaise with agencies operating at the port, to institute networking systems to avoid manual work which has contributed to the delays in clearing .
He expressed optimism that the ongoing expansion project would give a facelift to the port for it to become a destination worth doing business at.
On the holding areas where trucks are held up while processing documents Mr Ansah said once there were scanners all over ,the trucks would be parked in those yards and go through the documentation processes .
He stated that the problem at the port could be solved only when all stakeholders co-operate to bring on board solutions.
Mr Asare Ansah said some stakeholders were guilty of the hold- up because they presented fake invoices and, therefore, called on them to change their ways.
He called on importers to appoint agents with proven integrity to handle their cargo for them
Mr Asare Ansah said the authority was in discussion with all inland depot operators and the Meridian Port Services to install scanners to relieve trucks and importers of the tedious clearing processes and queues.
Mr Asare Ansah said some people had made it a habit of starting work late and, therefore, holding up documentation processes
At the Customs Division Chemist, documents were found already worked on but were yet to be cleared by the importers or their agents .
At the scan area, the equipment stopped scanning at a time because the entrance of the Western Gate was choked as the trucks could not get space at the holding area to wait for security checks .
Mr Asare Ansah said a transit truck park was also being developed to move all trucks which were not ready to load to wait at the park near the Motorway to decongest the port.
He affirmed that the port is small for the cargo arriving, noting that in the next five years , the planned ongoing expansion project, which includes provision of access roads direct to the Motorway , fully automated systems at the port with centralized single computerised platform and replacemenmt of roundabouts to be replaced with traffic lights, would be completed .
By Rose Hayford Darko