The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has urged cross-border traders to report challenges they encounter at the various entry points to enable it provide tailor-made solutions.
As part of the Authority’s mandate of protecting and promoting the interest of shippers, the GSA established Shipper Complaints and Support Units (SCSU) at the borders to receive and resolve challenges faced by cross-border traders.
Currently, the GSA’s Shipper Complaints and Support Units are located at six entry points namely; the Aviance Cargo Village at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), TACOTEL at the Takoradi Port as well as the Elubo, Aflao, Paga and Akanu borders.
Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for Women in Cross Border Trade organised by the USAID Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment Activity, the Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation at the GSA, Mrs. Monica Josiah, gave assurances that complaints reported to the SCSU will be addressed to enhance trade facilitation.
She urged the women in cross-border trade not to despair when they are confronted with challenges but open up to officers of the GSA at the borders who have been equipped to deal with such issues.
The sensitisation workshop, which was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Sunyani on 27th July 2022, also had Officials from the GRA Customs Division and Integrated Customs Management System throw light on their operations at the borders in support of the GSA’s activities.
Some Cross-border traders engaged at the Workshop enumerated a myriad of challenges such as delays by border officials in processing their documents, extortion by officials at the borders and the inconveniences caused by multiple check points as key concerns impeding their export/import trade across Ghana’s borders. They appealed to Government for assistance.
Officials from the GRA Customs Division sensitised participants on their rights and responsibilities as cross-border traders and advised them to follow due process in their export/import transactions to avoid issues enroute and at destination points.
The Head of Trade Facilitation and Import Management of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Yeboah Kyeremeh encouraged traders to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) to expand their business.
