Strike by Freight Forwarders will cause revenue, job loses - GRA warns

Commander of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the Tema Port, Dr. Okkoh Appiah, is warning against the continuous strike by the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF).

He said the action could lead to a possible diversion of goods from the Port of Tema to neighbouring Countries.

He was advising members of the GIFF on the need to use appropriate mechanisms at the ports to solve the misunderstanding between some aggrieved business operators and the Ghana Revenue Authority over the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes system.

Freight Forwarders at the ports have begun an action Monday morning to press on their demand for the government to withdraw the implementation of the CTN policy.

At an emergency meeting, Dr. Okkoh Appiah fears the continue action may lead to Ghana losing its Businesses to neighbouring Countries.

"We have been observing and think as Industry players, we have the responsibility to make the Industry strong without being collapsed. Let us use a crises solving mechanism to end the action because many businesses are looking up to us” he said.

He added: "Our clients and your clients, some are looking frustrated as a result of your actions. You can imagine what will happen after the disappointment and the strike, can we go back to ask them to do business with us," he questioned.

According to the Freight Forwarders, series of meetings have been held but the authorities refused to heed to the call for a withdrawal of the policy.

On his part, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Eddy Akrong, says they will wait until Government comes out with a clear direction on the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes system.

"We know what is going on and we're telling them that the policy will not work because of the charges associated with it. It is about time government listened to us and stopped this policy or we will put down our tools, no business will go on at the port," he cautioned.

Meanwhile business associations at the port iin a joint news release, has given a strong signal to importers and exporters to cease using the Tema and Takoradi ports from September 1, 2018, if government goes ahead with the policy.