The Frozen Food Importers Association of Ghana has said it supports the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note System (CTN).
The move comes after a press conference held by the Ghana Institute Of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) last Monday opposing the implementation of the CTN in Ghana.
[ads1]“We, members of the Frozen Food Importers Association of Ghana wish to state categorically that we are in strong agreement with the position taken by the Chamber Of Freight and Trade to Support Government and GRA in the Implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note System,” Frozen Foods Importers said statement.
The statement signed by the Convenor and Spokesperson, Michael Allotey added, “We believe this will bring a level playing field in the current Customs duty payment and valuation Regime.
“We are therefore in full support of GRA and Government to as a matter of urgency implement the CTN system to address the disparities in our business.”
GIFF
Meanwhile, three former presidents of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) have kicked against the action taken by the current leadership of GIFF to stop the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes.
THREE FORMER PRESIDENTS OF GIFF SUPPORTS CTN IMPLEMENTATION
Accra: August 27, 2018: We, the undersigned former Presidents of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders are not in support of the action taken by the current leadership of GIFF to kick against the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) in the country.
We are confused as to the hasty decision by the leadership of GIFF to sabotage this laudable initiative at a time when the government has shown goodwill and a listening ear to the concerns raised by GIFF during the over 6-months consultation process prior to the full implementation of the CTN scheduled for 1st September 2018.
We recall that just last week Monday, on the 20th of August 2018, a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Kweku Kwarteng met major stakeholders including the GIFF leadership as part of the consultation process and addressed most of our concerns. The meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance has been just one out of many consultations held with GIFF members and its leadership since February this year.
We are therefore surprised by the current leadership of GIFF decision to push for a full strike action at a time when consultations are still on-going and all challenges are being resolved for the good of the country.
As current members of GIFF, former leaders of this reputable institution and representing the voice of the silent majority of our members as a whole, we deem it fit to distance ourselves from this very bad decision and confrontational approach to dialogue.
GIFF’s decision, therefore, is self-serving and does not inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian consumer whom we are mandated to serve at all times.
It is ironic to hear that GIFF claims to be fighting for the Ghanaian consumer, when in fact by this single action of GIFF to go on strike, they would indeed make the lives of consumers worse off by increasing the cost of doing business as a result of demurrage charges on goods and services at the ports.
We, therefore, urge all members who are against this strike action to go about their duties without fear or favour and with the conviction that the Ghanaian consumer must not suffer unduly because of the inaction of the GIFF.
We, the undersigned former Presidents of GIFF are convinced that the implementation of the CTN will bring more benefits to the country such as ensure a fair and a levelling playing field for all industry players, not just for a few as well for national security purposes such as to avert the importation of unwholesome goods into the country.
We wish to draw the attention of all stakeholders that since the project is on a pilot basis, for now, it will be only prudent to exercise patience for the exercise to end to know the benefits or otherwise of the project to the country before taking any major decision.
At all times, the national interest must override personal and parochial interest of only a few people and we urge the current GIFF leadership to pursue the path of dialogue and not confrontation.
Ghana deserves better.
Signed
1. Mr Kofi Brako, MD- TeamWork Freight Services & MP for Tema Central
2. Mr Franck Sarpng- MD Fame Logistics
3. Mr Robert Kutin- All Ships Ghana Limite
