The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has lauded Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for introducing the paperless port system.
According to the FDA, the paperless port system has improved efficiency and significantly increased the number of consignments inspected by the Authority daily.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FDA, Delese Mimi Darko, who heaped praises on Dr Bawumia at the opening of mini lab for the FDA at the Tema Port, stated that the paperless system necessitated the establishment of a laboratory at the Tema for quick trade facilitation.
“The FDA would like to take this opportunity to thank the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for the introduction of the paperless system and also the inclusion of the FDA in the three main agencies mandated to carry out joint inspections at the port. This mandate has necessitated the establishment of a mini laboratory at the Tema Port.
“Data available to the FDA indicates that with the introduction of the paperless and Joint Inspection Management Information System at the Tema Port, there has been an overwhelming increase in the number of consignments inspected by the Authority on daily basis,” according to her.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA), is confident of the complete roll out of the paperless port system by the second quarter of 2019.
The Vice President, Dr Bawumia, earlier emphasized the removal of customs barriers in the country and mandatory joint inspections to enhance transparency at the country’s ports.
Government would soon begin the implementation of a risk clearance system at the pre-arrival stage. This will make it possible for compliant importers to sit in the comfort of their offices and get customs clearance. Every activity will be fed into the risk engine to enable the system to keep records of importers.
In addition to that, government plans to also introduce the First Port Rule in Ghana, which would ensure that goods destined for countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are paid in Ghana to check the dumping of goods destined for neighbouring countries, according to him.
Importers and stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the National Single Window and Paperless Port System at the country’s ports.
Analysis of the monthly Import Performance of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) between 2015 and mid-year 2018 indicate that revenue realized from imports has been increasing year-on-year.
Total import revenue recorded for half-year 2015 was GHȼ3,584.11 million.
It increased to GHȼ5,252.43 in June 2017 as against GHȼ4,330.26 million recorded in June 2016.
For the first half of this year, about GHȼ5,798.76 million has been collected from importers.
The GRA projects a 30 percent growth in revenue by close of the year.
Source: Daily Guide
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