Shippers say cost of doing business at Ghana ports high

The cost of doing business at Ghana’s harbours has been described as high.

Speaking at the 4th in the series of Maritime Seminars organized for journalists in Accra May 30, 2013, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr. Emmanuel Martey said: “the high cost of doing business is a source of worry to us.”

According to him, unsatisfactory services rendered to shippers at Ghana’s ports also leave much to be desired and all these issues affect their operations.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuiye suggested that, every effort should be made to reduce delays and bribery at entry points. He urged shippers to eshew practices that bring their work into disrepute.

On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Affail Monney described the activities of the maritime industry as critical to economic development.

Monney said, “the maritime industry deserves greater media attention because it contributes to national development in terms of delivery of goods and services. Any mishandling to the sector will be detrimental to the development of Ghana.”

The Chairman for the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers Authority, Dr. Kofi Mbiah said when journalists understand the essence of trade facilitation and revenue mobilization, then they can relay the information about maritime well to their audiences.

By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor