The Port Reform Agenda In Ghana: Contributions Of The Mahama Administration - Joyce Bawah Mogtari Writes

Some few years back, Ghana's Ports were congested and considered very expensive in comparison to other ports within the West African sub-region.

Arising out of the congestion and high cost of accessing services at our ports were constant complaints from Importers, Exporters and Trade Associations as well as Shippers about the cost of doing business.

It will usually take a much longer time to clear cargo leading to shippers paying high demurrage charges.

There were also complaints about the various inspection Companies whose function sometimes overlapped causing needless delays.

The introduction of the National Single Window (NSW) was therefore borne out of the need to reduce wastage, reduce the high cost of doing business at the ports, ensure speedy clearance of cargo in real time and reduce human interaction.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) proceeded to invest heavily in the automation of the processes at the various ports to pave way for the full implementation of the NSW and Paperless Clearance System.

Described as another good initiative of the John Dramani Mahama Administration, the NSW paved the way for the takeover of the Destination Inspection Scheme by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

West Blue Consulting Limited, a fully-owned Ghanaian trade technology company, has been at the forefront of the Single Window implementation, which is the process of streamlining the port and business operations systems including a paperless system.

The Paperless System simply means automating the cargo clearance process through improved risk management and profiling of cargo.

It includes the introduction of online payment systems to prevent revenue leakage, ensure faster clearance procedures and reduce cost of trade.

As Deputy Minister for Transport, I recall the level of political interest and support the Ministry received from President Mahama, whose leadership and understanding of the importance of modern infrastructure and a well functioning port, brought to fruition the port expansion project.

That project is a massive infrastructure revolution never seen in the history of our ports. Indeed, since the inception of our ports, the port reforms undertaken by former President Mahama and his administration is the single largest investment in the ports.

The expansion project has two main components- infrastructure upgrade and new developments, and more importantly retooling and technology.

The first phase of the project focused on dredging and extention of the breakwater of the Takoradi port and automation of the gates and terminals at both the ports of Tema and Takoradi. It also saw huge investments through MPS in a major retooling and equipping of the largest container terminal in Ghana and West Africa for that matter, in excess of 1,000,000 Tonnes.

Additionally, expansion of road infrastructure in and around the port of Tema and connection with the motorway are ongoing as a key component aimed at ensuring access to the Port. There is no doubt therefore that the issue of the high cost of doing business at our ports and revenue leakages has been recognized by successive governments who have all taken steps in good measure to deal with it.

Thus, recognition of the efforts of successive governments in this direction would be most appropriate, especially considering the giant leap made by the Mahama Administration.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari
Private Legal Practitioner/ Special Aide to President Mahama

18/9/2017