Users of Tema Port protest against new transit and escort fees

The Tema Port Community, users of the port, have called for an immediate suspension of new transit fee of 200 US dollars and escort fee of 65 US dollars imposed by customs

The fees would have a negative impact on the country's efforts to attract more cargo to its ports, they said in a resolution passed by seven major port users and addressed to the Minister of Finance after an emergency meeting held at Tema on Wednesday to discuss the new fees.

The port users include Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG), the Ghana Shippers Council (GSC) and the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.

The rest were the Burkina Shippers Council, Burkina Chamber of Commerce and the Niger Shippers Council. Transit cargo from the Tema port was attracting an escort fee of 50,000 cedis to Aflao, 100,000 cedis to the Ivorian border at Elubo and 150,000 cedis to the Burkina Faso border at Paga. Now the fee has been increased to 65 US dollars.

The Commissioner of Customs introduced a transit fee of 200 dollars, previously non-existent, on March 18 and affects goods passing through Ghana to neighbouring countries.

The port community called for a re-examination of the concept of escort of transit cargo with the full participation of all stakeholders to streamline its operations. Regulation affecting the bonding of transit cargo must also be discussed with stakeholders.

The resolution noted that the exorbitant escort fees is inimical to transit trade in Ghana and detrimental to the Gateway concept since it has resulted in the diversion of cargo from the Tema port to other competing ports in the sub-region. It said these losses far exceed any gains to be made from the 65-dollar escort fees and the 200-dollar transit fees.