New Port Directive: NACOB, National Security rather empowered – Boako

The spokesperson to the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boako, has debunked fears that NACOB and National Security have been excluded from the joint inspection team at the ports.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced new directives at the ports and harbours to help improve the paperless ports processes and bring about efficiency.

Speaking on Morning Starr on Thursday, 14th June, Security analyst Dr. Kwasi Aning said such directives could be worrying and portray Ghana as careless about security matters at the ports.

However, in a sharp response Dr. Boako said although government intends through the directives to reduce the number of inspections team from 16 to three, NACOB and National Security are well represented.

According to him, their roles have rather been strengthened.

“The two security agencies will join the inspection team upon intelligence and that once the risk engine determines that a container should be inspected, national security and NACOB will be part of the joint inspection,” Dr. Boako clarified on Starr News.

He added: “This is a more enhanced role than what existed earlier where NACOB and National Security did not have that mandate to halt the process to do thorough inspection upon intelligence.

“With the new directives NACOB and National Security have access to the risk engine and once the engine detects anything untoward it will raise the alarm and quickly NACOB and National Security will move in to inspect.”

He concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to ensure safe and efficiency as well as hustle-free port systems for importers and customers.