The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has put in place some measures to cushion economic operators in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger who import through the Ports of Ghana.

The measures are aimed at encouraging more transit cargo through the ports of Ghana and also reducing costs at the ports.

Disclosing the measures to the economic operators in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, the General Manager of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Esther Gyebi-Donkor, disclosed that GPHA has hedged the fluctuation between the dollar and the cedi for the transit trade.

Mrs. Gyebi-Donkor said another step the Port Authority has taken to relieve the transitors as far as cost is concerned is the volume-based rebate.

She also stated that the number of rent-free days for dangerous cargo has been considered by the authority.

“The 5-day rent-free period was a problem for them, and they have been complaining all these years, but because we want our partnership to grow, we have considered it and made it 10 days now,” Mrs. Gyebi-Donkor announced.

According to her, the Port Authority continues to satisfy its transit customers by providing land and warehouses for them so they can plan better. She said the Ports of Tema and Takoradi have drafts that can take any kind of vessel for all cargo types and urged the economic operators to use them for their imports.

In order to improve service delivery to them, she averred that the Port Authority has procured equipment to improve the delivery of cargo to them.

"Recently, the Port Authority brought in 27 teletrucks and 2 mobile cranes, and we are also expecting 10 top lifters very soon, all towards making available the equipment we use to deliver cargo to you,” she said.

She stated that the Integrated Customs Management System, which is being operated by Ghana Link at the ports, facilitates the clearance of goods for them.

The Port Authority, she added, has provided two truck parks for the transitors to park in and complete their documentation in Tema and Paga.