GIFF threatens court actions over implementation of Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) policy

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) says they will seek legal action to register their disagreement over the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) policy.

The Cargo Tracking Note, CTN is a platform by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for collection and management of commercials and logistical information relating to the cargo and ship from the port of loading.

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders is one of the main groups strongly against this policy. They argued the CTN is not only a duplication of the existing platform but will also increase the cost of doing business at the port.

''If you see the manifest structure as we are going to see by 1st of September you will see the gaps that have been filled. Two of those gaps that has been filled that CTN is saying they are going or they are coming to town with is the value of the cargo and the freight, value of freight or freight as we call it. So with all these gaps that has been filled, one wonders why folks are still bent on the introduction of this cargo tracking,” he said.

President of GIFF, Kwabena Ofosu Appiah, however, says it may head to court to stop Ghana Revenue Authority from continuing the policy which started on July 1 this year.

''With all this confusion that has been thrown into the shipping sub-sector, we are losing out. And once these traders get comfortable with another route, we are finished'', he lamented.

However, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industries, Carlos Ahenkorah, insists the CTN will come with no cost to businesses.

''So GRA, the government body that is in charge of this exercise is doing everything possible to come up with ways and means to ensure that collection of revenue is maximized'', he stated.

This is the third attempt by the Ghana Revenue Authority to implement the policy.

On May 28, 2018, a statement was issued from the office of the vice president for a suspension of the CTN.

The letter among other things noted, the Manifest structure which already exists was more efficient than the CTN, hence, the need for the suspension.

Despite this letter from the presidency, the GRA has gone ahead with the implementation effective July 1, which was contained in a letter dated 4th June, 2018.

The GRA, however, warned shipments that are not covered by a valid CTN number will not be cleared through Customs in Ghana and fines may apply.