Exporters and importers are kicking against moves by the Presidential Special Operations Taskforce to include non-perishable goods in the port decongestion exercise.

The taskforce in collaboration with other stakeholders is embarking on an exercise to clear the Tema Port of over-stayed cargo. It has therefore advised importers and agents to clear all their cargo within the specified dates or have them forfeited.

 According to the directive, perishable goods are required to be cleared by this Friday whilst non perishable ones are expected to be cleared in two weeks time by Wednesday, April 23.                       

But the Executive Secretary to the Ghana Association of Importers and Exporters, Sampson Asaki Awingo-bit tells JOY BUSINESS, the taskforce has gone beyond what was mutually agreed earlier.                                 

“What was discussed to the best of my knowledge was only that of ‘reefer’ containers which include containers of imported frozen meat, chicken products, cow legs, pig legs etc. But the notice includes both perishable and non perishable and we want to make it clear that government has taken it too harsh with the Ghanaian importers for giving them only two weeks that if they don’t clear it will amount to confiscation and that is not the best” he said..