Benonita Bismarck
Contrary to the perception that Ghana does not derive any benefits from the transit trade through its corridors, the outcome of a study by Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in 2015 showed that tangible financial benefits accrued to operators along the transit logistics chain.
Transit trade volumes in the said year accounted for approximately 1 million metric tons out of Ghana’s cargo throughput of 17 million metric tons.
The study also showed that an estimated total revenue of $24 million(GH¢94 million)accrued to Ghana from some of the quantifiable services provided by various operators involved in the delivery of transit services.
These were payments for services in relation to the handling of transit cargo from both Tema and Takoradi Ports, State Insurance Company (SIC) – the National Guarantor for the bond value, fees to Ghanaian haulage truckers, operators of the electronic tracking device and freight forwarders.
Benonita Bismarck, CEO of GSA, who made these known at a stakeholders’ seminar held yesterday in Accra, said a number of other entities benefitted directly from transit trade, including fuel stations, hotels, restaurants operators. etc.
However, she said in spite of the foregoing, there were potential risks that had to be managed to complete the beautiful story of the transit trade.
“For instance, the risk of diversion of transit cargo and the potential loss of revenue to government have necessitated the introduction of a number of policy interventions and measures to institute appropriate safeguards for the growth of legitimate transit trade through Ghana’s corridors.”
She revealed that some specific activities that had engaged the Authority over the years include the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with neighbouring landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, quarterly meetings with representatives of the Shippers Councils of these countries, hosting of E-Platform for addressing Non-Tariff Barriers on the corridor and sensitization workshops for transit drivers and Transit Shipper Committee (TSC).
Ms Bismark added that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) periodically organized trade missions involving key stakeholder organizations to such countries to engage with economic operators with the sole objective of promoting the Ghana’s Ports.
“This effort is against the backdrop that the Tema and Takoradi Ports face competition from its neighbouring ports of Lome, Abidjan and Cotonou for the same Transit Cargo.
Organised by the GSA, the event was aimed at addressing key issues, including the new measures for transit tracking, transit process flow, transit vehicle registration, transit insurance requirements, licensing of freight forwarders for transit trade and the concept of first port duty rule.
In attendance were representatives of the GPHA, Freight Forwarder Associations, representatives of the Shippers Councils from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), SIC Transit Office, National Security, GCNET, Haulage Associations (Owners and Drivers) and a host of others.
“We are called to walk a narrow path of trade facilitation and revenue assurance. Any misstep will dim our chances of benefiting from this trade.”
A business desk report