President John Dramani Mahama has directed security and regulatory agencies operating at Ghana’s ports to harmonise their activities and submit a comprehensive framework within two weeks.
The directive was issued on Wednesday, September 17, during a high-level meeting at the Presidency involving stakeholders in narcotics control, national security and the transportation sector.
The move forms part of measures aimed at strengthening security at the country’s ports while improving efficiency and coordination among the various agencies.
NACOC to Return to Joint Inspections
As part of the planned reforms, the government is also set to establish a Joint Taskforce to oversee and coordinate operations at the ports.
The taskforce is expected to streamline inspection procedures, address bureaucratic delays and strengthen compliance among agencies operating within the port environment.
President Mahama has additionally directed that the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) be restored to the Joint Container Inspection regime.
NACOC was removed from the joint inspection arrangement in 2018 following a Cabinet decision. The latest directive will see the anti-narcotics agency rejoin the inspection process as part of efforts to strengthen the detection of narcotics and other prohibited items concealed in containers.
“NACOC will be restored to its rightful place in the joint inspection process. You cannot fight narcotics if the lead anti-narcotics agency is taken out of the port,” a senior government official who attended the meeting said.
Government to Resource Agencies
The President also assured the relevant agencies of government support to enable them to effectively carry out their statutory responsibilities.
The government is expected to provide the necessary scanners, logistics and personnel to strengthen operations at the ports, while agencies will be required to improve collaboration and deliver results.
“The era where agencies complain about lack of scanners, logistics and personnel to execute their mandate is over. Government will equip the relevant agencies, but they must also deliver results and work together,” the official quoted President Mahama as saying.
Background
Ghana’s major ports, including the Tema and Takoradi ports, are key entry and exit points for international trade and handle more than 80% of the country’s import and export cargo.
The ports have, however, faced challenges including congestion, overlapping functions among agencies and concerns over the movement of narcotics and other contraband.
In 2018, reforms reduced the number of agencies directly involved in port operations from more than 20 to three — the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and Ghana Standards Authority — in an effort to improve efficiency and ease the clearance of goods.
While the changes were intended to improve clearance times and facilitate trade, concerns were subsequently raised over the impact on security screening.
The planned return of NACOC to joint container inspections, alongside the proposed Joint Taskforce, is expected to strengthen coordination between trade facilitation and port security.
