Port operations transparent, says GPHA Boss

Mr Richard Anamoo, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), says the Authority has nothing to hide concerning its operations and revenue mobilization.

“We have a duty to tell Ghanaians how we are handling things at the Port”, he said adding that it was unconstitutional to hide such information from the public.

The GPHA Director General was speaking on Wednesday during a two-day special training programme for journalists.

The programme was organized by the GPHA in collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

He indicated that the account books of the GPHA were audited publicly by the Auditor General to ensure that revenues gained at the Ports were properly used.

Mr. Anamoo called on media practitioners to give out fact-based information on the GPHA by always contacting the right authorities for information.

Mr Anamoo said it was the duty of the GPHA to provide facilities for importers and exporters to effectively import their goods outside or import goods into the country.

He added that it was the Authority’s duty to harness the country’s coastlines to get more revenue for the country.

The Director-General said the GPHA would continually work with other principal actors in port operations to achieve its vision and mission.

Mr Nicholas Okpera, Chief Collector Outdoor, Customs Division of the GRA in a presentation on the activities of Customs in the clearing process, debunked the impression of some people that Customs Officials delayed clearance of goods at the port.

Mr Okpera, however, said delays could occur due to a number of reasons which had nothing to do with Customs operations at the port.

He explained that it could be due to non-compliance to requirements by shipping agents, freight forwarders and clearing agents.

Some of the cases of non-compliance, he said, included under declaration of quantities and miss-description of goods in the container.

He added that the presence of other agencies such as National Security, Task Force, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others was because it was required that officials from these agencies were present before a container was opened and inspected.

Mr Okpera said Customs operations at the Port faced other challenges including electricity power cuts which slowed down work drastically.

There were other presentations from other stakeholders including, the EPA, Ghana Shippers Authority, Ghana Maritime Authority, National Security, and Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet).

Others were the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG), Ghana Standard Authority, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), and Gateway Service Limited.

Source: GNA