The acting Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, has revealed that efforts to scrap taxes on goods in transit are far advanced.
Goods in transit refers to merchandise and other types of inventory that have left the shipping dock of the seller, but not yet reached the receiving dock of the buyer.
Describing the move as a significant step towards easing the cost of doing business in Ghana’s ports, Brigadier-General Tanye-Kulono acknowledged the longstanding concerns raised by industry players regarding excessive levies and their impact on trade competitiveness. “We have certain taxes and levies imposed on goods and services that make the cost of doing business high,” he stated
Addressing the Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey while on a familiarization tour at the ports, Brigadier-General Tanye-Kulono stated that “we had a consultant who listened to us, and we have been able to resolve some of the issues. I know the taxes on transit goods are being worked on, so at the appropriate time, it will be cleared.”
He also emphasized that the reduction in transit taxes is expected to boost Ghana’s appeal as a regional trade hub, particularly for landlocked neighboring countries that rely on Ghana’s ports.
In addition to tax reforms, Brigadier-General Tanye-Kulono highlighted GPHA’s commitment to digital transformation in reducing the turn-around of operations at the ports. He noted that the Authority will roll-out a digital platform from next year in this regard.
“We have also tried to reduce the human interface with digitalization. So hopefully next year, we will roll out some of these digital solutions to reduce human interface and quicken the clearing of goods at the port,” he said.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey reiterated President Mahama’s vision of making Ghana’s ports attractive. She emphasized the need to clear nuisance taxes and charges at the ports which make operations costly.
Her visit to the Tema Port forms part of a broader initiative to familiarize herself with the operations of agencies under the Ministry of Transport.
She also visited the Regional Maritime University and the Tema Shipyard Limited.
