Ministry sets up committee to check fraud

The Ministry of Ports, Harbours and Railways has set up a committee to investigate the activities of service providers who charge illegal fees on goods imported into the country at the ports.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Shippers Council, Mr. Emmanuel Martey, in a forum organized to educate Journalists on the activities of the Ghana Maritime Industry.
The Ministry, according to Mr. Martey, would immediately address the committee’s findings upon submission to ensure that importers are not cheated.
He said some portion of the existing laws of the Maritime Industry bars it from imposing any sanctions on service providers who indulge in such acts, as it always has to rely on the Ministry for directives in addressing the issue.
Mr. Martey was optimistic that the Committee’s findings would help eliminate the nuisance from the country’s ports. He advised clearers to seek clarification from the Shippers Council to avoid falling into such a situation.
Importers have over the years complained bitterly about illegal fees charged at the ports which according to them were having negative impact on their operations.
However, findings according to the Tema Port Coordinator, Mr. Samuel Ntow have shown that some of the monies collected by service providers are in the form of bribes to enable them find their way in clearing their goods.
“Some charges relate to people wanting to expedite their operations”, he noted.
Mr. Ntow, however, observed that the situation at the country’s ports is mainly due to imperfection in the Maritime Industry. He therefore called for legislation and a specific minimum charge to those found guilty in charging illegal fees at the ports.