Importers call for dialogue on port clearance

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called for a dialogue between its members and the government to find a lasting solution to the challenges importers face.

Mr Sampson Awingobit Asaki, Executive Secretary of the Association, said it was important for such a dialogue to be held first before the expiration of the two-week ultimatum issued to importers by the Presidential Special Task force.

In April the Task Force issued an ultimatum to the importers and agents to clear their perishable goods within three days and their non-perishable goods within two weeks or forfeit their goods. The directive forms part of efforts to clear the Tema Port of over-stayed cargo to decongest the harbour.

Mr Asaki told the GNA that his outfit had petitioned Mr Prosper Kwaku Bani, the Chief of Staff, and wanted to have a meeting with him on the issue and to address other related challenges.

He said members of the Association were uncomfortable with some utterances of Mr Clement Apaak, member of the Task Force, and would therefore want to meet Mr Bani to find a more acceptable solution to the problem instead of engaging the Task Force in exchanges.

Mr Asaki appealed to the Chief of Staff to freeze the ultimatum issued by the Task Force.

He also appealed to the government to reconsider the Bank of Ghana’s directive on the use of dollars to transact business and the holding of foreign currency account as it had negatively affected their business.

Mr Asaki explained that their business involved the use of foreign currency to import goods, making it a necessity for them to have foreign accounts.