TRADE INFORMATION CENTRES OPENED AT PAGA-BURKINA BORDERS


TRADE INFORMATION CENTRES OPENED AT PAGA-BURKINA BORDERS

BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM                               Fri -   Sept. 28, 2012
AG.PRO-UE/RCC

The Ghana Shippers Authority [GSA] which represents the interests of exporters and importers in Ghana has in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development [USAID] and the West Africa Trade Hub opened border information centres at Paga and Dakola border entry points Ghana and Burkina Faso respectively. These border information centres will offer ready information on trade to shippers and cross border traders in order to enhance trade between the two countries.

In a press release issued by the GSA at a ceremony at Dakola to officially open the information centres, the GSA disclosed that the objective of setting up the centres at each side of the border is to make available rules and regulations of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and also promote trade by providing trade manuals on customs administration and road governance.

The Research and Development Manager of the GSA, Mr. Abraham K.  Ocloo in a statement at the ceremony disclosed that in August, 2011, a similar collaboration with the USAID West Africa Trade Hub culminated in the commissioning of border information centres at the border towns of Aflao in Ghana and Kodjoviakope in Togo. He said the successful opening of the Paga and Dakola information centres brings to four such trade information centres stressing that, this indicates the commitment and determination of the GSA to facilitate the operations of shippers in the international trade and transport business within the sub-region.

Mr. Ocloo observed that the efforts of the GSA have been directed at reducing the complexity and cost of trade transactions and ensuring that all activities take place in an efficient, transparent and predictable manner. He revealed that in all 10 regions of the country for instance, shipper committees have been established to share appropriate information on trade. According to him, ECOWAS states have designed the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme [ETLS] over the past 20 years to facilitate trade between member states by creating a common market where locally produced goods in the sub-region can move freely from country to country. Unfortunately, different rules and regulations operating in the different West African states have slowed down trade transactions giving way for harassments and bribe taking among others.

Mr. Ocloo therefore thanked the USAID and West Africa Trade Hub for assisting the GSA in its efforts to fast track shipping and other trade transactions in the sub-region while he welcomed the establishment of the border information centres asking cargo divers and traders to make maximum use of them.

The Upper East Regional Minister Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo in a speech read for him, noted that one of the core policies of Government has been to ensure speedy and efficient clearance of goods not only at the country’s ports but also at its borders. He said trade facilitation reforms have been carried out in Ghana over the years due to its important benefits for development by way of trade stimulation, attraction of foreign direct investment, improvement in the collection of customs revenue and reduction in incentives for smuggling and corruption.

Mr. Woyongo said for instance that, the Ghana Government through its Gateway Project introduced a series of measures and activities aimed at facilitating trade and making Ghana the preferred destination for doing business in the West Africa sub-region. In pursuance of this objective and to simplify customs procedures as well as enhance maximisation of revenue by Customs, Government introduced the Destination Inspection Scheme and the Ghana Community Network (GCNet) System.
He expressed hope that the operation of the Border Information Centres will be used as part of the steps towards continuous efforts to facilitate trade through the provision of reliable trade information for all stakeholders.  To him, benefits from effective trade facilitation can be maximised when these systems put in place are regularly monitored and improved as part of a longer-term and comprehensive modernisation and development strategy underpinned by sustained political will, broad-based commitment for reforms and adequate financial and human resources. 

Mr. Woyongo called on all importers, exporters, transporters, drivers, freight forwarders, customs officers, immigration officers and police to know what the laws say regarding intra African trade.

USAID Trade Hub Director, Mr. Bryon Battle and US Embassy Officials in Burkina Faso also addressed the patrons at the commissioning ceremony at the Dakola border.

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