Ahead of the State of the Nation address by the President today, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana says it expects the President to speak on the excessive increase in charges at Ghana’s Ports by the shipping companies.
The Association in the past week bemoaned the increase in shipping charges by the shipping lines even though the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) only increased the fees for the shipping lines by only USD 35.
Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Mr. Sampson Asaki Awingobit speaking to Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show expressed that the Association hopes that the President will touch on the issues and propose a solution to this problem.
“We are expecting to hear something from the President on what Government policy directive is in promoting and protecting Ghanaian business community. Because mind you, if Government allows these charges; inland port charges, port additional dues or charges that the shipping lines are trying to push their way in, if it goes through what is going to happen is that the ordinary Ghanaian will suffer in the sense that they are going to pay so much because any additional cost that the importers pay at the port will have to pass through the consumer. So, I strongly believe that Government wouldn’t want to see people cry”, he stated.
Meanwhile, he has bemoaned the absence of a body charged with the regulatory power to challenge the actions of the shipping lines.
President Nana Akufo-Addo is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address today, 9th March,2021. The President will brief the nation on the present state of the various sectors of the economy following his first term in office.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah
