Paperless System at Ports Implementation on Schedule – Govt.

On the basis of an ongoing process, the Office of the Vice President has assured the business public that the government is set to meet the schedule for full implementation of the Paperless System at Ports.

Earlier this year, government through the Vice President issued a directive to all agencies operating at the Ports to fully adopt the paperless system for their transactions latest by September 2017.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had pointed out that the paperless system was part of an effort by government to increase the efficiency of operations as well as eliminate the chances for corrupt activities (often associated with human interfaces) at the country’s sea Ports.

However following the issuance of this directive by government, there has been growing speculation in Ghana’s business community that the proposed deadline (September 2017) for the full implementation of the system will not be met.

In a statement debunking this claim, Technical Economic Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Gideon Boakye noted that the measure was an essential part of Ghana government’s initiatives to close some existing loopholes and facilitate smooth business operations at the ports.

Dr. Boakye stated that he, “was part of the quest to eliminate corruption at the ports. "We held what we call the port efficiency conference that was hosted in Ghana. We invited people from Dubai and as part of that, three policy issues came to being and those policies were earmarked to take effect in September, so gradually the office of the Vice President is working closely with all the agencies that are involved”.

He further reiterated the commitment of the President Nana Akufo – Addo led administration to make Ghana’s Ports the best on the African continent.

He concluded by pointing out that: “the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority – GPHA [the body responsible for the implementation of the programme] and all the agencies are to make sure that whatever decisions that were taken at the conference come to fruition in September. I have no reasons to doubt that we cannot make the deadline. The vice president has set the target for them, they must meet it”.