A high-level delegation from Benin’s Ministry of Transport has engaged the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in deliberations over the rollout of an Electronic Waybill system, a crucial initiative designed to streamline cargo truck operations and bolster transit trade efficiency across the West African corridor.
The Beninois delegation, comprising senior transport officials and industry representatives, was led by Richard Dada, Director of the National Land Transport Agency, and included Moise Sourou Hounsou, Director of Road and Air Transport Regulation; Bienvenue Nounagnon Zinsou, Head of the Road Transport Regulation Service; Appolinaire Lisboa, Head of the Land Freight Facilitation Department; Mahamadou Gankou N’douro, President of the Heavy-Duty Truck Drivers Collective; and Issa Dramane Karimou, Representative of the Transporters of Benin. Their visit underscored the government’s commitment to fostering cross-border trade partnerships and ensuring seamless logistics operations.
On hand to receive them was the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, in the company of some senior officials of GSA. The discussions revolved around the operational dynamics of Benin’s Electronic Waybill system, which integrates cargo trucks into the Beninois Customs framework, allowing for enhanced tracking, improved data collection, and strengthened trade oversight.
Richard Dada emphasized the necessity of engaging regional stakeholders like Ghana, given the critical role of transit trade in the sub-region. Ghanaian cargo trucks routinely navigate Benin’s transport corridors, either as direct exporters or as conduits for goods in transit to other destinations. He stressed that fluid cross-border coordination is paramount in reducing bottlenecks and fostering economic synergy between the two nations.
Moise Sourou Hounsou, Director of Road and Air Transport Regulation, clarified that transit trucks would be required to enroll in the electronic system at the border—free of charge. “We do not impose fees on transit trucks. Charges apply only to trucks exporting goods from our ports,” he stated, addressing potential concerns over cost implications for Ghanaian transporters.
Charles Sey, GSA’s Eastern Zonal Manager, took the opportunity to elaborate on the Authority’s evolving mandate under the recently enacted GSA Act 2024 (Act 1122). He welcomed the assurance that transit cargo would not be subjected to additional levies, emphasizing the importance of keeping trade costs manageable.
Director of Operations at GSA, Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, advocated for interoperability between Ghana’s trade facilitation systems and Benin’s Electronic Waybill platform, arguing that integration would significantly enhance trade efficiency. In response, Moise Sourou Hounsou confirmed that provisions had been made to accommodate companies regularly utilizing Benin as a transit route to Nigeria and beyond, with a plug-in feature enabling them to register their trucks at no cost.
The Head of Operations, Mrs. Monica Josiah raised a lingering concern from Ghanaian truck drivers about being coerced into making payments to Beninois officials before being allowed to transit with goods to Nigeria and beyond. In response, Mahamadou Gankou N’douro, Head of Land Freight Facilitation Department, acknowledged the existence of such incidents, attributing them to rogue law enforcement personnel. He assured the delegation that the Beninois government has taken a decisive action by instituting a task force to eradicate such extortion and guarantee unimpeded transit movement.
Wrapping up the discussions, Richard Dada called for deeper collaboration between the two nations to refine trade regulations and harmonize logistics operations for mutual socio-economic benefits. In agreement, Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu reaffirmed GSA’s receptiveness to enhanced cooperation and knowledge exchange, emphasizing that such partnerships would be instrumental in strengthening the trade corridors and advancing regional commerce.
