Success of New Transit Trade needs Integrity - Yankyera

Tema, Sept. 05, GNA - Mr Sam Akwasi Yankyera, Assistant Commissioner of Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) in charge of the Tema Port, on Monday stressed the need for stakeholders in Ghana's New Transit System to exhibit a high level of integrity to ensure the smooth implementation of the programme.

He stated that this new system was expected to ensure more rapid and less bureaucratic transit clearance procedures at the port. Mr Yankyera made the call at a meeting with stakeholders in Tema to deliberate on the challenges posed by the system, which became operational on Monday.

He pledged CEPS' determination to treat customers with decency to ensure the success of the programme and make Ghana a gateway of the Sub-Region.

He said CEPS would collaborate with other stakeholders such as the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Stevedores, and Shipping Lines involved in the Transit Trade. Mr Yankyera urged players in the new system to comply with rules and regulations governing the trade, assuring them that compliant stakeholders would be amply rewarded, whilst those who fell fowl of the law would be sanctioned.

Mr Yankyera said foreign importers were required to register with CEPS, reminding them that after October 1, the service would withdraw the right of non-registered importers to transit goods through Ghana. The Assistant CEPS Commissioner urged them to furnish their Ghanaian Declarant/Clearing Agents, with evidence of their legitimate status in their countries of origin, adding that this could be in the form of a Tax Identification Number Certificate or a Shippers' Council Card duly authenticated.

He made it clear that all goods vehicles to be used for transit, must be registered with GPHA who would automatically forward the registration details to CEPS.

Mr Daniel Soadzedey, Deputy Managing Director (Technical) of the State Insurance Company, which is responsible for the issuing of Bonds for the New Transit System, reminded stakeholders that since they were dealing with revenue which was the nerve centre of the economy, they should be fully committed to this national task and thus discharge their duties honourably.

Mr Moses Kojo Adom, Chairman of the Ghana Road Transport Co-ordinating Council, reminded players in the new trade system that they would have themselves to blame if caught diverting goods. While urging drivers in the trade to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, Mr Adom appealed to vehicle owners to release their vehicles voluntarily in the national interest, to ensure the success of the programme.

During an open forum, a representative from the Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce gave the assurance that in the use of Ghana's corridors for the transit trade, Burkinabes would comply strictly with the regulations governing the new system.