Paul Asare Ansah, GPHA boss
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has suspended the review of charges at ports in the country.
This, according to the Authority, is to allow for broad consultations with the various stakeholders.
In line with this, GPHA is expected to engage stakeholders such as the Ship Owners and Agents Association, Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), GUTA, among others, before charging the new tariffs at the ports.
Last year, GPHA proposed 20 percent increase in all charges at the ports, which was expected to take effect in January 2018.
However, some stakeholders raised some concerns over the upward adjustment of tariffs.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana called on the Authority to reduce the proposed 20 percent increase in import charges to 15 percent.
The Association was of the view that while the 20 percent tariff increment may be acceptable, a further reduction would reduce the cost of operations at the ports.
Speaking to BUSINESS GUIDE, General Manager for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the GPHA, Esther Gyebi-Donkor, disclosed that the date for implementation of the new tariffs had been deferred.
According to her, “We set our implementation date for January 2018 but because some stakeholders have raised some concerns, we have decided to engage those stakeholders for smooth implementation. It is not like we have suspended the implementation indefinitely. No, we have not done that but there will be a new date.”
She said GPHA would meet the major stakeholders next week for their inputs before setting new date.
GPHA decided to review the charges after four years of not reviewing the tariffs.
From Vincent Kubi, Tema