The Ghana Shippers Authority(GSA) has called for a collaborative effort among all shippers to further strengthen the paperless system at the ports.
The paperless system, which was implemented a year ago was to reduce human interactions which leads to various forms of corruption.
Addressing a gathering on a forum on paperless port project, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Benonita Bismarck called for more collaboration among industries to ensure the system operates better.
“The ideals of the paperless system are achievable, the necessary institutional structures have been firmly established, but more collaboration among industry players is required to ensure that the system is fully oiled to deliver the lofty goals that the government envisioned”, she said.
The forum sought to address the achievements, challenges and the way forward in achieving a better paperless system at the ports.
Held on the theme “one year of paperless port system: Review of Achievements, challenges and way forward”, Sector Commander, Accra collection at the GRA, Emmanuel Ohene explained the various achievements clocked in a year of implementation.
“The system has also helped to eliminate the human interface between officers and freight forwarders. It has also eliminated falsification of hard copies of hardcopies documents normally presented to evade duties, levies and other charges” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Director General at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Lugudze encouraged stakeholders to work together to better position the system.
The President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) Kwabena Ofosu Appiah, lauded the government’s effort for the smooth running of the system.
“One year down the line it is good, even though we can do better but seeing that we do not have a governance structure in place what we have achieved is good. It just points us to the fact that if we were to deploy all the necessary additives that might ensure success, probably we would have been going past my 65 percent mark given”, he assured.
The paperless system was first met with stiff opposition by various port users. They had stated that the poor network that characterizes the paperless system at the ports delayed the clearing process.
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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana