The Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI, Papa Owusu Ankomah has urged institutions participating in the ongoing World Trade Organization Facilitation Needs Assessment Programme to come out with appropriate technical assistance that will solve challenges of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The week long program will create a platform to link trade related institutions in a more productive way to improve the business environment, Papa Owusu Ankomah who opened the conference said in order to ensure some level of transparency to guide private sector operators, there is the need to publish laws, regulations and fees of institutions that regulate trade activities.
He said the establishment of National Enquiry Points and National Portals that will emerge from the ongoing conference will make negotiations simple and easy to administer. Papa Owusu Ankomah said Ghana has taken steps in addressing issues related to trade which will to a large extent respond to challenges in the sector. through Customs clearance of goods is being modernized to ensure speed and efficiency which will help to reduce cost. The Ministry is also reviewing the fee structure for clearance of goods at the ports and also develop a cost effective and secure mechanism for Transit Trade Facilitation.
