Tema Port has now become a 24-hour operation, according to Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, Mr. Sarpong indicated that this decision is consistent with the government’s flagship “24h+” strategy, which was introduced by President John Mahama to stimulate industrialisation, job creation, and domestic tax income.
The GRA has collaborated with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and other key players to make continuous port operations a reality.
Mr. Sarpong emphasised the need of incorporating organisations such as the Standards Board, Food and Drug Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stating that efforts have been made to integrate these bodies into an automated customs platform to enable 24-hour service.
“At GRA, we regard ourselves as a crucial constituent and partner in the success of this program, thus we have already embraced the 24-hour economy at the port in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and other partners.
For example, when someone brings products. You need a Standards Board to be present. You’ll need the Food and Drug Administration there. You need the EPA to be present.
Not all of these institutions were 24-hour ready, but we worked with them and positioned them so that all of these institutions are hooked and automated into our customs icon platform, allowing all government institutions to access port operations within 24 hours,” he stated.