Sept. 1 dateline for paperless transactions for imports only - GPHA clarifies
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has clarified that the proposed migration to paperless transactions at the country’s ports will be done in phases, starting with imports only on September 1 this year.
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The next phase of the project would centre on ensuring that documentations on goods meant for export were migrated from paper-based to electronic processing, popularly called paperless.
The Deputy Director-General of the GPHA in charge of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mrs Esther Gyebi-Donkor, disclosed this at a forum in Tema last Tuesday.
“All discussions regarding the paperless initiative have been centred on imports but authorities at the ports are taking steps to roll out paperless transactions for exports after a full implementation of the import clearance,” he said.
Advocacy campaign
The forum, which was an advocacy campaign organised by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), was followed by a tour of the Tema Port.
The GPHA updated the forum participants who were mainly players in the export and import trade business on the paperless initiative of the government, as well as other key developments at the ports.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, directed the introduction of a paperless transaction at the ports effective September 1 this year as part of three major policy initiatives to facilitate trade and make the ports competitive in West Africa.
Following the directive, authorities at the ports have initiated the pilot phase of the paperless system to test its process ahead of the deadline.
But Mrs Gyebi-Donkor stated that the GPHA, being aware of its mandate, would not sit unconcerned for the government to ask about export paperless transaction, instead it was taking steps to implement it.
“As authority at the ports, we are aware that we do not have to wait for the Vice-President to come for the second time and ask what we are doing for exports with regard to paperless transaction. Therefore, we are taking action to roll out the next phase,” she said.
Support paperless initiative
The President of the GNCCI, Nana Appiagyei Dankawoso, said it was important for all stakeholders to support the government’s paperless initiative at the ports.
“There was the need for streamlining and simplification of procedures at the ports which require automation. This should be done taking on board the concerns of stakeholders for an effective implementation,” he said.
He noted that the GNCCI, with funding from the Business Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC), had conducted a study on challenges associated with doing business at the country’s ports, which identified duplication of functions by some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as one of the top challenges impeding the ease of doing business at the ports.
He said the expansion works must consider both equipment and the physical space within the ports and the adjoining communities.
Going forward, Nana Dankawoso said the government must put in place measures to address concerns of exporters and importers, as well as make the ports attractive to other landlocked countries.