{"id":12729,"date":"2025-10-03T09:24:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T09:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/?p=12729"},"modified":"2025-10-03T09:26:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T09:26:39","slug":"port-reforms-hinge-on-transparency-not-just-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/port-reforms-hinge-on-transparency-not-just-expansion\/","title":{"rendered":"Port reforms hinge on transparency, not just expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The nation\u2019s ambition to develop into West Africa\u2019s maritime hub will depend as much on transparency in port operations as physical infrastructure, industry leaders have warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a maritime stakeholder forum on the competitiveness of Ghana\u2019s seaborne trade, organised under the theme \u2018Streamlining Ghana\u2019s Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector for Transparency, Efficiency and Competitiveness\u2019<\/em>, Minister for Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe said opaque processes, hidden charges and inefficiencies are undermining investor confidence and eroding competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEfficiency alone will not guarantee success. Our ports must also be predictable, transparent and trusted,\u201d the minister said in a speech read on his behalf by the sector deputy, Dorcas Affo-Toffey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These comments come as stakeholders cite persistent problems despite recent developments geared toward port expansion and digitisation projects. Discretionary practices in cargo inspections, inconsistent fees and limited visibility of service charges remain common. Bodies such as the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have repeatedly raised concerns that non-transparent costs are neutralising gains from systems such as the paperless port initiative and Ghana Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Deputy Transport Minister, Dorcas Affo-Toffey (middle left); Vice President-Ghana Chamber of Shipping, Jemilat Mahamah (middle right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Ministry of Transport acknowledged existing gaps and pledged to streamline procedures, harmonise agency roles and review port levies in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Revenue Authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this end, the minister said a new Legislative Instrument to operationalise the Ghana Shippers\u2019 Authority Act, 2024 is also under consultation to provide a clearer regulatory framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are also aware of industry concerns about the recently passed Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122),\u201d the minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo address this, a draft Legislative Instrument (L.I.) has been developed to operationalise the Act. The ministry is undertaking extensive consultations on the regulations and will ensure industry concerns are fully addressed before implementation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The call for greater transparency reflects international trends. The World Bank\u2019s 2023 Logistics Performance Index shows that countries with clear and predictable border and Customs systems record up to 40 percent faster cargo dwell times than those with opaque procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top performers such as Singapore and the Netherlands combine digital platforms with strong governance frameworks, enabling them to handle annual container volumes exceeding 30 million TEUs with minimal delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contrast, a 2022 UNCTAD report estimated that hidden costs and inefficiencies at African ports add between 10 and 30 percent to the final price of goods. For Ghana, analysts say, this undermines not only its cost competitiveness but also its role in regional supply chains \u2013 especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vice President-Ghana Chamber of Shipping Jemilat Mahamah argued that transparency is not a secondary consideration but the foundation of reform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTransparency in maritime transport is crucial for fostering trust, enhancing operational efficiency, enabling sustainability, improving regulatory compliance and driving innovation across the global shipping ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaritime transport transparency restores openness in an industry long characterised by secrecy. It is fundamental for reducing environmental footprint, increasing economic efficiency, fostering stakeholder trust, simplifying regulatory compliance and enabling technological advances,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She further stated that, in the end, transparency equips all players in the maritime sector with practical insights, strengthens accountability and fosters a global shipping industry which is resilient, sustainable, and competitive. This growing commitment to openness is transforming maritime transport into a more reliable and responsible driver of international trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe nexus between transparency and shipping efficiency is one of positive correlation. Transparency in maritime transport drives shipping efficiency by enabling data-driven operational optimisation, fostering stakeholder trust and collaboration, ensuring regulatory compliance, accelerating technological adoption and enhancing supply chain visibility. Together, these effects reduce costs, improve sustainability and increase customer satisfaction \u2013 fundamentally transforming shipping performance,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click\u00a0here<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>for source.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The nation\u2019s ambition to develop into West Africa\u2019s maritime hub will depend as much on transparency in port operations as physical infrastructure, industry leaders have warned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[153],"tags":[163,162],"class_list":["post-12729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-articles","tag-news","tag-port"],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13961,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/president-commissions-tema-port-expansion-project-hints-at-ferry-service-along-gulf-of-guinea\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":0},"title":"President commissions Tema Port Expansion Project \u2026hints at ferry service along Gulf of Guinea","author":"Grace Agorigo","date":"November 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that government was in talks with a private firm to establish a ferry service at the Tema Port to connect Ghana with other West African countries along the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-7.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-7.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-7.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-7.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Newsletter-Blog-Media-7.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16766,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/billions-of-dollars-in-mining-investment-at-risk-as-fiscal-burden-lease-uncertainty-weigh-on-competitiveness\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":1},"title":"Billions of dollars in mining investment at risk \u2026as fiscal burden, lease uncertainty weigh on competitiveness","author":"Paul N.","date":"July 10, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Ghana\u2019s mining sector is calling for a balanced approach to fiscal reforms, investment competitiveness, and value retention as stakeholders discuss the future of the industry at the Mining for Development Forum.","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ESQ-Elsie-15.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ESQ-Elsie-15.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ESQ-Elsie-15.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ESQ-Elsie-15.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/ESQ-Elsie-15.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16083,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/govt-targets-1400mw-renewable-energy-capacity-by-2030\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":2},"title":"Gov\u2019t targets 1,400MW renewable energy capacity by 2030","author":"Grace Agorigo","date":"May 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Government is targeting at least 1,400 megawatts (MW) of installed renewable energy capacity by the end of the decade as part of efforts to reduce energy costs, improve industrial competitiveness and accelerate the country\u2019s transition to sustainable energy. The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition said \u00a0the country currently has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ESQ-Elsie-22.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ESQ-Elsie-22.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ESQ-Elsie-22.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ESQ-Elsie-22.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ESQ-Elsie-22.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16269,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/port-costs-under-threat-as-cargo-tracking-fee-re-emerges\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":3},"title":"Port costs under threat as cargo-tracking fee re-emerges","author":"Paul N.","date":"June 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A renewed attempt to introduce a cargo-tracking regime in the country has triggered fresh concerns within the trade and logistics sector, after documents suggested that a policy concept previously unable to gain traction at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is now being pursued through the Ministry of Transport.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-5.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16337,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/investment-payment-security-key-to-regional-gas-expansion\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":4},"title":"Investment, payment security key to regional gas expansion","author":"Paul N.","date":"June 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"West Africa\u2019s ambition to expand regional gas infrastructure and lower energy costs will depend on resolving payment risks, strengthening cross-border cooperation and attracting private investment into new projects, speakers at the 2026 West Africa Gas Summit said. Government officials and industry leaders meeting in Accra argued that natural gas remains\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-7.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-7.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-7.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ESQ-Elsie-7.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13138,"url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/govt-waives-import-duty-on-agri-processing-machinery\/","url_meta":{"origin":12729,"position":5},"title":"Gov\u2019t waives import duty on agri-processing machinery","author":"Michael Teye","date":"August 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"President John Dramani Mahama has announced the removal of import duties on agricultural processing machinery in a bid to lower costs and accelerate investment in local agri-processing.","rel":"","context":"In "News Articles"","block_context":{"text":"News Articles","link":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/category\/news-articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-08-01_0_Govt-waives-import-duty-on-agri-processing-machinery_1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-08-01_0_Govt-waives-import-duty-on-agri-processing-machinery_1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-08-01_0_Govt-waives-import-duty-on-agri-processing-machinery_1.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-08-01_0_Govt-waives-import-duty-on-agri-processing-machinery_1.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-2025-09-29-055954.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12729"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12732,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12729\/revisions\/12732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gnbcc.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}