18-05-2011
18-05-2011
Narration: Cote d’Ivoire has been identified as the worst performance in terms of controls, bribes and delays followed by Mali and Senegal as compared to other neighbouring countries. Ghana, on the other hand has for the past two years, achieved the lowest level of average bribes, decreasing its bribery activities from 40 Ghana Cedis per trip in 2008 to 20 Ghana Cedis per trip in 2009. This came to light at a stakeholder’s advocacy workshop on transport facilitation on Tema-Paga Corridor held at the Upper East Regional Capital, Bolgatanga. The Transport Director for the West Africa Trade Hub, Niels Rasmussen, who made the disclosure, said road harassment on interstates corridors across the West Africa costs states tens of thousands of US dollars a month obstructing the path to sustainable economic growth. Isaac Asare has the rest of the story for Radio Ghana.
CUE IN
END CUE
ANCR V/O
Report
The USAID sponsored programme which was under the theme: “ Challenges facing Transport and Trade on Tema-Paga corridor” brought on board various stakeholders in the transport industry. Notably among them were officials from the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Ghana Shippers Council as well as security agencies and shipping experts from neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It was among other interventions, aimed at addressing the numerous challenges affecting the activities of the various border posts and, moreover, ensuring the promotion of trade between Ghana and its neighbouring countries, particularly landlocked areas like Burkina Faso and Mali. The issue of bribery and corruption coupled with unnecessary delays and highway checkpoints on the countries roads and border posts which took the centre stage at the meeting received widespread criticisms as most participants condemned the illegalities experienced on the roads. Mr. Rasmussen in a presentation made mention of numerous corrupt practices on the country’s trade barriers, describing them as unacceptable. He was particularly concerned about the long delays some unscrupulous officials imposed on truck drivers, stressing that, such negative practices tend to affect bilateral trade between Ghana and the other ECOWAS member states. Ghana alone he noted has about 45 active checkpoints between Tema and Paga with 34 police checkpoints and 11 custom checkpoints. Moreover, 80 percent of the bribes are paid in half of the checkpoints with half of the delays occurring at the Paga area and 10 percent near Kumasi. According to him the Paga border checkpoints has the highest bribery allegations with officials demanding higher than expected. Mr. Rasmussen, who is also a USAID contractor therefore cautioned custom officials manning the various checkpoints to desist from such acts in order to facilitate and make trade competitive within the sub-region. He also charged the security agencies to do their best in tackling the menace. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo seized the opportunity to advice security agencies manning the various checkpoints to refrain from bribery and corruption and ensure safety and security on the roads since the country is at risk of losing millions of dollars in trade annually so that the economy can continue to grow and create opportunities for the citizenry. He commended Ghana for its remarkable achievements and encouraged officials to end all corrupt practices to earn more laurels. To him Ghana will, continue to be a leading country in many road transport aspects, including axle load regulations, governance and infrastructure if measures are taken to reduce the delays and bribery practices meted on local and foreign drivers. Officials from the Ports and Harbour Authority, CEPS and the police among others later took participants through their activities, challenges as well as the way forward in achieving economic growth through enhanced trade.
END
No comments:
Post a Comment