By Naa Dzagbley Ago
The Director General of Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), Michael Luguji has expressed worry over the downward trend of cargo traffic, which has been on the decline since June 2022.
He said there is the need to assess the situation as it cannot raise the needed funds to offset some of its infrastructure levy at the Port.
Mr. Luguji made the point during a stakeholder engagement at the Tema Port.
The purpose of the meeting was mainly to look at the decline in cargo traffic at the ports. According to Mr. Luguji, the situation is affecting revenue streams.
Director of Tema Port, Mrs. Sandra Opoku, reaffirmed the fear, saying that Ghana is recording a 15% decline in cargo traffic.
President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, said due to the high taxes at the ports, expatriates have decided to build warehouses in the neighbouring countries which operate the free Port system to keep their cargo, after which ”they smuggle through unapproved roads into Ghana”.
The situation, the GUTA President said, has led to several losses in revenue for the State.
Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, Assaki Samson Awingobite, expressed worry over the impact of the reversal of the benchmark values on business.
Mr. Eddie Kusi Ankomah of Erata Mottos said compared to import duties paid to what was paid last year, ”it has tripled the cost of doing business in the Port”.
On the issue of demurrage charges, Mr. Amevor Clement of P.C. Logistics said the mandate of the Ghana Shippers Authority is to legally regulate the activities of the shipping lines.
Mr. Asamoah of CADEG also spoke against the tax exemptions given to the new Automotive Assemblers and said the increase in tax on the used automotive industry is a disincentive to importers.
This and many other factors have contributed to importers reallocating resources into building and some into Planting For Food and Agriculture.
