Ghana’s ports to start operating a paperless system by September 1 - Bawumia

Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has called on all stakeholders to help ensure that Ghana’s Ports go paperless by September 1, 2017.

He said no excuses will not be accepted adding that agencies and service providers who do not go paperless by the date will not be allocated any cargo.

The Vice President who was addressing importers, customs officers and other stakeholders at the Flagstaff House on Wednesday, 2nd August stated that “we expect the corporation of all stakeholders ensure port efficiency. All of you have been engaged and must aim to do your part to make our ports paperless”.

He added that with the introduction of the first port rule in Ghana, duties would be paid on good destined for re-export rendering the internal customs barriers redundant.

“We will be able to make sure in this context that no vehicle would be able to leave the port without paying their duty,” he said.

The Vice President stated that from 1st September, containers are not going to be physically opened for inspections.

He said “we’re introducing a risk engine as I said which will assign risk levels to importers based on their level of compliance. When the need arises for inspections, the agencies needed for inspections will be informed about the inspection time and place for joint inspection”.

He said the agencies would have to sign in at the inspection shed to confirm their participation.

Dr Bawumia said terminals who are not ready for automation by 1st September would be left behind and people who do not comply will receive sanctions.