Ghana is positioning itself through its state agencies and other stakeholders in the maritime and transport sector to deepen its transit trade relationship with the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
In furtherance of this, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) organised a Trade Mission to Niger from March 25-29, 2018 to hold discussions with Nigerien government officials and heads of state agencies, private companies and trade associations involved in the promotion of trade between the two countries.
The Ghanaian delegation comprised officials from GPHA, Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Police, Safebond, Ocean Nile Limited, Joint Association of Port Transport Union (JAPTU), Tacotel and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce.
The leader of the delegation and Board Chair of GPHA, Mr Peter Mac Manu, appealed to the government and economic operators of Niger to use the ports of Tema and Takoradi as their preferred ports to enjoy competitive tariffs, facilities and excellent service delivery.
He assured them of the delegation’s commitment to addressing challenges they encounter using the Ghana corridor and was optimistic that Niger-bound cargoes passing through Ghana’s ports would grow to one million tonnes in the coming years.
On his part, the Director General of the GPHA, Mr Paul Ansah, informed the Nigerien counterparts that the efficiency and service delivery of the ports of Tema and Takoradi would be significantly improved when the ongoing expansion works are over.
The Tema Branch Manager of the GSA, Mrs Monica Josiah, who represented the Authority as part of the Trade Mission also assured the Nigerien trade community that concerns raised on the removal of the payment of VAT on Transit goods through Ghana’s corridor has been referred to the appropriate authorities and is receiving the necessary attention.
The Ghanaian delegation also visited and held discussions with the Ministers of Commerce, Industry and Transport, officials from the Niger Shippers’ Council, Niger Chamber of Commerce, Niger Customs, National Transport Owners Union among other stakeholders.
