Freight Forwarders on strike over CTN policy
Ghana’s Freight Forwarders Association is calling on government to suspend the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) policy.
Members of the association say the policy is a duplication of an already existing Legislative Instrument, in the Ghana Shippers Authority Regulation (2012), thus will only bring extra cost to shippers.
The Freight forwarders are on strike, an action they said has been necessitated by what the businesses say is the government’s failure to heed concerns on the policy which impedes trade facilitation.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) commenced implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note System effective Friday 1st June 2018.
Under this system, Shippers/Forwarders at the various ports of loading are to provide detailed and timely information on all shipments to Ghana in advance on the Global Online Platform made available for the purpose.
The move, the GRA explained is to modernize its operations at the port in line with international best practices.
But a member of the Joint committee of freight forwarder associations, Kwaku Okyere Darko on Adom FM’s morning show Monday said the CTN will only add up to the cost of doing business at Ghana’s Ports.
He argues against the government’s position that the CTN policy will facilitate trade by reducing the turnaround time for cargo clearance, as well as the payment of fees in demurrage, saying it’s not true.
According to Mr Darko, there is already an existing framework serving the same purpose, therefore, there is no need for the introduction of a new platform.
He said they are open to further consultation by the government to get their concerns addressed.
