Paperless system: Government gives FDA, GSA sole right to inspect health products

In order to curb corruption and boost efficient delivery at the port, the government says it has reduced the number of state agencies that carry out inspections on imported and exported health products to only two state agencies.

Currently, about eight state agencies, including National Security personnel undertake the same inspection work on imported and exported health products at the ports, a move clearing agents say is a duplication of duties which hampers port growth and encourages corruption.

A deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, who disclosed this however failed to mention names of affected agencies but said “the ports are going to be limited to only two state agencies, the Food and Drugs (FDA) and the Ghana standard Authority (GSA)”.

The Tema West legislator, Carlos Ahenkorah, revealed this to journalists on the sideline of a workshop organized by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and industry (GNCCI) in Accra Thursday to sensitize shippers about the upcoming paperless system at the various country’s ports come September 1.

According to the deputy Minister, the decision to reduce the number of state agencies operating at the ports was contained in a report presented to vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia after announcement by government to roll out a paperless system at the Tema and Tarkoradi ports.

He said the move would put an end to the cumbersome activities importers and exporters had to go through before clearing goods which continued to affect the cost of doing business.

“In the report given to the vice president, this was mentioned, and the vice president has indicated that inspection with regards to health products in the port is going to be limited to two agencies, Food and Drugs (FDA) and the Ghana standard Authority (GSA).”

“For us we think that is the best thing that can happen to us because if everybody comes to the port and want to do their cross-check on one particular product, you get eight agencies come to check aside customs, and that is what causes the delay at the ports,” Carlos Ahenkorah said.

The paperless system is aimed at reducing the turnaround time for importers.

Government is also seeking to reduce the revenue losses associated with the high human interface currently being employed.