Ministry reviews gateway project

Mr Dan Abodakpi, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Tuesday reviewed steps taken by the Ghana Trade and Investment Gateway Programme and said significant strides have been made towards achieving set targets.

The first phase of the programme is to help realise Ghana's Vision 2020, the country's macro economic policy. The objective of the programme is to attract a critical mass of export-oriented firms to accelerate export-led growth, facilitate trade and create the environment to encourage private sector investment and reduce the cost of doing business in Ghana.

Abodakpi said the project is being implemented by six front-line agencies - Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB), Ghana Investment Promotions Centre (GIPC), Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).

Abodakpi said CEPS has replaced pre-shipment inspection with destination inspection that will facilitate the fast clearance of goods at the ports and ensure that appropriate duties are paid on imported goods.
Additionally, the use of mobile x-ray scanning equipment was introduced in June at Tema. "With the installation of the fixed scanner, we are now able to put to use the mobile scanner at the Port of Takoradi. This is the first fixed x-ray equipment operating in sub-Sahara Africa," Mr Abodakpi said.
He said the EPA has set up an office at the Tema port to monitor both liquid and solid waste management and air quality at the free zone enclave and other existing free zone areas of the municipality.
With the GCAA, Abodakpi said the liberalised skies policy is being pursued within the context of the gateway project with the aim of making the Kotoka Airport the hub in the sub-region.
The minister said Messrs Louis Berger of the USA has been engaged and has already started work to develop a holistic aviation sector policy. The GCAA is undertaking extension and expansion works at the airport while radar and aviation equipment are being upgraded.
He said Boeing, aircraft manufacturers, have been attracted to Ghana, which will serve as its headquarters for its African operations. A new Immigration Act has also been enacted to replace the Old Aliens Act 160 of 1963 and outline new regulations to provide required legal supportive base for the emerging initiatives.
"In order to facilitate and make the work of GIS much more easier for travellers and residents under the Project, the GIS operational processes and procedures are being computerised," Mr Abodakpi said