Coronavirus: Govt suspends all charges on Cargoes at ports

Government has announced the removal of all charges on Cargoes that have been at the ports since the lockdown of parts of the country by President Akufo-Addo.

According to a statement from the Transport Ministry, the move is to ensure that shippers do not act in ways that will compromise government’s attempt at curbing the spread of covid-19 in Ghana.

The move comes a day after the Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association (GUCDA) demanded from government a total waiver of all demurrage and port rental charges on their imports which are currently locked up at the Tema port due to their inability to clear them as a result of the imposition movement restrictions by government in the Greater Accra Region.

It is the contention of importers of used clothing that because they and their close working partners such as Offloaders, Suppliers and Buyers, are not part of essential workers who are exempt from the lockdown restriction, they are practically unable to clear their goods in order to sell or store them appropriately.

Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), Nana Poku, in an exclusive interview with starrfm.com.gh noted that if government does not give urgent consideration to their demand, the businesses of importers of used clothing will completely collapse.

“The trading community is demanding total waiver of all demurrage charges and other nuisance charges that affect traders directly such as port rental charges. We kindly appeal and solicit for your (government) immediate intervention and support during these difficult times” Mr Poku said.