We are running public service with private sector orientation - Free Zones CEO

The Chief Executive Officer of the Free Zones Authority, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, has said his outfit is running its operations like a ‘private entity’ to achieve efficiency and results.

“When you enter our office, people come to our office and they are surprised it is a public service. Our slogan is: ‘We are working in a public service with a private sector orientation’; you can’t come to work at 9 am and enter 8 am in the attendance sheet, it’s not accepted. However, it’s not so strict like military system but employees must behave professionally”, he told Accra-based CTV.

“When you come to work, you can’t loiter around, you are made to see the business as your own and work harder and not government business”, he mentioned.

Continuing, he said: “It’s very difficult for companies to operate if they owe the Free Zones Authority or violate the Free Zones laws. A compliant employee is part of your KPIs to ensure free zones companies operate according to the law.”

Free Zones companies export the majority of their produce than sell in the market which they operate.

Mr Okyere Baafi said his outfit liaises with the Ghana Standards Authority to ensure the free zones companies operate at the highest standards so that it can achieve excellence.

He also stated that the inland port to be developed in the Ashanti Region will be the biggest in West Africa, and, as such, free zones companies in the northern sector will benefit from the port.

For companies to qualify to be part of the free zones enclave, they must export not less than 70% of their products or services.