News Guide Africa

Tag: Minister forTransport

  • Efforts to remove taxes on goods in transit underway – GPHA boss

    Efforts to remove taxes on goods in transit underway – GPHA boss

    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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tema Shipyard revamped and fully operational after years of dormancy

    Tema Shipyard revamped and fully operational after years of dormancy

    The Minister for Transport has announced that the Tema Shipyard, originally established by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to repair, maintain, and overhaul ships, has been restored to full operation after being non-functional for many years.

    The revival of the strategic facility follows a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

    The sector Minister made this disclosure at the Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Wednesday, September 17.

    As part of the rehabilitation, the Shipyard has redesigned and reconstructed the Dock 1 main pump to improve docking time, reactivated Dock 2 for full operations, and rehabilitated office facilities.

    These improvements have not only enhanced efficiency but also created new jobs.

    In addition, the Shipyard has rolled out a three-shift system to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy.

     

  • Transport Ministry urges WiLAT to work in unity to grow the logistics and transport sector

    Transport Ministry urges WiLAT to work in unity to grow the logistics and transport sector

    The Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey has charged the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), which happens to be the women’s wing of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana and the CILT International, to ensure they work together to create opportunities to dismantle barriers for women in the logistics and transport sector.

    Speaking at the maiden Executive Women in Logistics and Transport Forum 2025 which was on the theme “Paving your Path and Reaching new Heights in the Logistics and Transport Sector”, the Minister said unity among women in the transport sector will help them to achieve greater heights.

    “I would like to commend the leadership of CILT for organizing such a wonderful forum for women in the Logistics and Transport sector,” she said.

    “By organizing a forum like this, you are nurturing mentorship, fostering leadership and providing the support that women need to climb higher and reach new heights.

    “This is not simply about gender equality; it’s about building a more resilient and competitive logistics and transport industry that works for all. To every Woman Executive, when you reach new heights, extend a helping hand to lift another woman so that our collective progress becomes unstoppable.”

    The President of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Ghana, Engr. Mark Amoamah reiterated CILT Ghana’s commitment to ensure that WiLAT and for that matter women, rise from harmony in the Logistics and Transport sector.

    “The logistics, transport and supply chain sectors have traditionally been perceived as male-dominated and as women, this means, you must be ready to defy all the odds to build new skills, embrace technology and position yourself to foster resilience to rise higher.

    “As CILT Ghana, we remain committed to supporting women in all spheres of logistics and transport. We will continue to provide mentorship platforms, capacity-building programmes, and advocacy for policies that create equal opportunities for women to thrive and lead.”

    The Acting Chairperson of WiLAT Ghana, Madam Mabel Kabutey also said the forum is a call to action for every woman to take possession of her career journey in the logistics and transport industry.

    “This year’s theme, “Paving Your Path and Reaching New Heights in Logistics and Transport,” captures the very essence of what WiLAT stands for, as in line with our Strategic Thrust. It is a call to action, for every woman to take possession of her career journey, to boldly navigate challenges and to embrace opportunities that will propel her to greater heights.

    “In an industry as dynamic and vital as logistics and transport, there is no limit to what we can achieve when women are empowered, supported and given the space to lead, although this is a male dominated industry,” she stated.

    The two-day forum seeks to create an opportunity for the women in the logistics and transport forum to learn from trailblazers, share experiences, and spark new ideas that will shape the future of logistics and transport.

  • E-visa services: Mahama directs sector Ministers to fast track process 

    President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministers for Interior, Transport, and Foreign Affairs to collaborate and fast-track the rollout of e-visa services in Ghana.

     

    The ministers have been tasked to leverage the newly commissioned Air Navigation Services (ANS) and the Multi-Agency Command Centre for the Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems to see to their implementation.

     

    Speaking at the commissioning of the facilities on Monday, August 4, President Mahama noted that the API and PNR systems will deal with passenger and travel document data.

     

    “I’m directing the Hon. Ministers for Interior, Transport, and Foreign Affairs to collaborate to ensure that this platform is expanded to enable us to implement this long-awaited e-services for the country. I’m charging them to extend this system to cover both the sea and land border posts, integrate with our e-gate systems, and the adoption of capabilities to extend, to perform the advancement of the cargo information system and also for the benefit of our customs.

     

     

    “These policy directives will ensure the country enjoys the full benefits of what we’re witnessing today. The e-visa system will ease visa application processes, reduce paperwork, bureaucracy, support tourism, and make Ghana an even more attractive travel destination for business. The future of travel is digital, and Ghana must not be left behind,” he said.