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By: Edward Graham Sebbie
Various operators in the Tema Sea Port are braced up for the 24-hour economy policy slated to commence July 1, 2025. The much talked about policy proposed by the NDC government according to most players is a game changer, a policy which according to them has turned around a major several European economies and therefore urge all, particularly the business community to support it.
This was raised at a stakeholders’ engagement in Tema to brainstorm on modalities, solicit ideas and suggestions as well as elicit operational concerns for redress to ensure a smooth and effective roll-out of the policy. Present at the important meeting included Customs officials, freight forwarders, national security operatives as well as importers and exporters.
Participants raised a number of concerns including congestion at the port, beaurocracy in documentation leading to demurrage and preparation of UCL in Accra causing avoidable delays culminating in added costs of clearing which is passed onto the final consumer.
The Tema Sector Commander of Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Assistant Commisioner, Theresa Potakey, in response to the port congestion raised by MPS said, Customs is in talks with managers of state warehouse to ensure that detained goods are swiftly conveyed to the warehouse to avoid the phenomenon. On the UCL preparation in Accra, Assistant Commisioner Potakey, assured agents and importers that their concern has been forwarded to their superiors for quick redress to reduce time and operational cost in that regard.
Forwarder Johnny Mantey, the Tema Chairman for Freight Forwarders, lauded the policy saying it will enhance timely and expeditious cargo clearing and asked all hands on deck to make it a success.
“24-hour port operations as we call is something we stakeholders in the port community are enthusiastic about and earnestly wait for its start come 1st July”. He smphasised. For that reason, they were happy for such an engagement which he noted will enhance preparations before the policy start.
Forwarder Mantey, was however dissatisfied at attendance of the engagement, especially on the part of duty bearers. “This policy is laudable and i expected every duty beater in connection here to address pertinent conerns but unfortunately, attendance is unencouraging”. He therefore hoped for a similar soon for enhanced engagement before time. “I will entreat Customs to quickly convene similar meeting this time round with all authorities that matter present to address challenges raised by players before the eventual commencement of the policy on July 1, 2025” he added
VoiceAfrica keeps following developments and will update our cherished readers on how the policy fairs when enrolled.
