The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has begun processes to develop a maritime single-window system to manage vessel traffic.
Director General of GPHA Michael Achagwe Luguje, who disclosed this, said the maritime single window would help in managing the working relationship with other key stakeholders in the clearance chain.
Speaking at a media forum , Mr Luguje, indicated that the move will add up to the existing Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) and the paperless port clearance system, which have altogether given a major facelift to port transactions.
Touching on port clearance, he said despite a generally difficult local and international economic climate in 2023, there was a boost in performance at the ports in the second half of the year after a dormant first half.
The Tema Port he said handled 18 million tonnes of cargo while the Takoradi Port handled eight million tonnes. Mr Luguje noted that the Takoradi Port performed better in 2023 than in the previous year.
He attributed the boost in performance in the second half to GPHA’s initiatives, especially the introduction of a scheme to peg exchange rates charged on transit goods at three-month intervals to avoid increased costs as a result of fluctuating rates.
Mr Luguje expressed confidence that measures would be implemented to reduce the rising cost of doing business in Ghana’s seaports.
He reminded the business community that the cost of doing business in the logistics sector is directly related to the efficiency of port systems and infrastructure.
The reason GPHA is vigorously pursuing measures to augment ports’ efficiency in a bid to make Ghana the preferred hub in the sub-region.
Source: GNA
