Exporters and importers have identified bureaucracies, multiplicity of tax duplication of duties, complex administrative documentations and exchange rate fluctuations as difficulties they face in doing business at the various ports of Ghana. In assisting to resolve these issues, the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce organized a sensitization workshop to Validate its Research Work conducted at the various ports of the country. The workshop is part of the objective of advocating for a Business Enabling Environment under the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) to enhance the growth of businesses in Ghana.
The workshop was held at Joecarl Hotel, Tema Community Six (6) on Wednesday, 5th July 2017. Participants were drawn from the various stakeholder organizations including, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Union of Traders and Association (GUTA), Ghana Insitute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Ghana Shippers Authority, Exporters and Importers of Ghana, Shipping Agents and other relevant institutions.
The Chairman of the Tema Branch of the Ghana National Chamber Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Isaac Barry welcomed the participants to the validation workshop, and indicated that, the purpose of the workshop is to share the research findings and solicit stakeholder views towards validating the research findings.
The research validation was presented by Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo (Consultant), which provided the platform for participants to make contributions and recommendations to the research findings. Some of the contributions for consideration include; the effect of government policy on port operations, deplorable road network systems, duplication of work, fixing of the exchange rate, lack of accurate and reliable information on goods valuation, review of the seven (7) days for the clearing of goods and other relevant matters.
In a closing remark, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mark Badu-Aboagye emphasized that, the research aims to enhance trade facilitation and to reduce the cost of doing business at the ports of Ghana.
