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The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is calling for a single window system that will help reduce the congestion at the ports.

According to the GPHA, there are too many government agencies operating currently at the ports, which contribute to the delays in the clearing of goods.

The Tema Port is said to be housing more than 15 government agencies, which has contributed to the delays and congestion at our ports.

Freight Forwarders, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Ghana Importers and Exporters Association have all called for the reduction in the number of government agencies there because their presence is contributing to the huge revenue loses because of the delays and congestion.

Speaking to Citi Business News, the Director of Port Tema of the GPHA, Jacob Adorkor, said the single window is the solution to having the physical presence of government agencies at the ports.

 “The Port Authority is supposed to be the landlords of all the agencies that are operating at the ports and each one, because of legislation, must operate at the ports and we have to provide space for all of them. One square meter of space is a huge cost to the GPHA and we continue to create this space and provide as and when these agencies come to the ports as per the legislature.”

The Director of Port Tema of the GPHA said the solution to the congestion and too many government agencies at our ports is a single window system.

According to him, with the single window, all the government agencies will appoint just a representative at the ports to take care of their work - doing physical examination when the need be, saying if that happens, the congestion at our ports would be reduced.

“The single window is an electronic system when you hook on you can release a cargo when you realise that that has [sic] conform, which means you do not have to be physically present to examine the cargo, which will reduce the congestion at our ports.”