ACHAG holds 3rd AGM, calls for reduced cost of doing business at the ports

The Association of Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG), has held its 3rd Annual General Meeting.

ACHAG has a national objective of ensuring maximum revenue mobilization to the state through the education of its members.

The Outgoing President of ACHAG, Yaw Kyei said there was a need for the government to address the high cost of doing business at the Ports which may result in high inflation, smuggling, and reduction in purchasing power of importers and exporters among others.
“Malpractices strive better and very encouraging in the mist of high cost of doing business at the Ports. As human as the port users are, all ways and means are employed by importers, agents, customs officers and other port employees to minimise cost of clearance,” he said.

He said the association has done marvellously well in terms of customs compliance, training programs, advocacy and influencing both port operational and procedural systems.

The Deputy Manager of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of GPHA, Nana Esi Soderberg who represented the Director-General of GPHA, Michael Luguje called for strategic partnerships and collaboration which she noted are critical to building business resilience and surmounting some of the challenges faced in doing business through the Ports.

“It is imperative to note that, the realization of our full mutual potential relies heavily on our ability to address the challenges within our own transportation and logistics networks. Thus, one of the foundational ways of resolving these challenges, facilitating the ease of doing business and reducing avoidable port costs is through the strengthening of our partnerships.

Speaking at the event, a deputy Minister for Tampuli disclosed that a Committee has been constituted under the Economic Management Team with the responsibility to make recommendations on how to reduce cost of doing business at the Ports.

This, he noted, only goes to demonstrate the commitment of Government to creating the enabling environment for port business to thrive as well as solidify Government’s reputation as a listening government, having listened to concerns of various stakeholders in the Ports value chain.

He said the vison of the Transport sector under the able leadership of H.E the President is to deliver an integrated, efficient, cost-effective, safe, secure and sustainable transportation systems towards establishing Ghana as a transport and logistics hub within the West African Sub-region.

“It is therefore imperative that we strive to drive improvements within the Ports to reduce transaction cost, facilitate trade and position our ports as a hub for the West African sub-region, particularly within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It is for this among other reasons that Government is investing in port infrastructure to facilitate the industrialization of the Country as the Ports are integral link within the maritime supply value chain,” he averred.

The AGM saw the election of the Vice President of ACHAG, Akwasi Serebour Boateng elected as the new President.