The Minister for Transport, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has assured a delegation from Burkina Faso of the government’s commitment to resolving challenges faced by transport operators along the Ghana–Burkina Faso corridor.
Welcoming the delegation, led by Burkina Faso’s Minister of State responsible for Territorial Administration and Mobility, Mr. Émile Zerbo, on Wednesday, in Accra, the minister pledged that Ghanaian authorities would engage relevant agencies to ensure smoother clearance and movement of containers from Ghana to Burkina Faso.
Mr Nikpe further revealed that government projects, including dredging at Tema Port to accommodate larger vessels, are underway to ease congestion and improve efficiency.
He emphasised Ghana’s broader commitment to strengthening collaboration among African nations to promote effective governance and continental development.
Mr Zerbo outlined difficulties encountered by Burkinabè transport operators and agents in Ghana, particularly in clearing containers from the harbour and moving them onward to Burkina Faso.
He cited recurring issues such as demurrage, inadequate logistics for handling goods in transit, taxes on transit cargo, auctions of goods benefiting only Ghanaians, and the lack of interconnection between the customs systems of both countries.
The Minister also emphasised corridor-specific challenges, including multiple checkpoints causing delays, difficulties in renewing drivers’ passes, discrepancies in weighing data between the two countries, and the absence of parking and rest areas from Tema Port to the Paga border.
Mr Zerbo appealed to Ghanaian authorities and agencies, particularly the Ministry and its agencies, shipping companies, Customs, and Police, to find appropriate solutions.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
