Ghana is set to model its port economic management system after Nigeria’s with the creation of a port economic regulator like the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
A team of Ghanaian delegates from the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), led by Mrs. Helena Amanfu, disclosed this during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of NSC, Barr. Pius Akutah, in Lagos on Tuesday.
The Ghanaian team will be in Nigeria for a weeklong study exercise with the port economic regulatory roles of NSC at the core of their learning experience.
“We are reviewing our Act as we intend to be a regulator, just as the Nigeria Shippers Council is doing. So, we are here today to say thank you very much and to learn from you so that we can take something home to Ghana and then put it into practice,” Amanfu posited.
She recalled that in 2018, there was a media uproar in Ghana and the Vice-President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, set up a committee to identify indirect and direct targets and fees around port operations.
“Ghana Shippers Authority as the chair of that committee, and then other stakeholders in the shipping industry joined. The team first undertook a trip to Cote d’Ivoire in 2018 and then to Togo to undertake this study.”
“In 2021, this was extended to Nigeria and then Senegal. So the aim of this study is to look at the cost structure and the charges and fees by the various stakeholders in the shipping industry and how they affect the clearance process,” Amanfu said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Barr. Pius Akutah, received and shared trade facilitation insights with GSA, to enhance regional shipping in line with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Akutah’s words: “We need to harmonize what is happening within our ports to make them competitive across all and see how we can promote trade even amongst ourselves before we can go to the Western world.”
“This visit to me is very important in terms of our partnership as brothers within the same sub-region. Ghana and Nigeria are like twin brothers and your coming here has brought enlightenment. I am glad in my heart that you have come and you will be with us for this number of days.
“I understand that you have the intention to see ports, to see things by yourself and get some of the statistics that will help you in this study. We will continue to support you for the remaining time you are here.”
The NSC boss also commended the Ghanaian group’s proposition to introduce an economic regulator for ports in Ghana, which he stressed that Nigeria has successfully implemented.
