The Concerned Agents and Importers Association has called for an overhaul of the warehousing policy to identify and prosecute all those involved in duping the nation.

The group is also demanding government to retrieve the over Ghc700million tax evaded by some companies operating at the port under the guise of warehousing.

The group in a statement by Nana Kofi Poku, Chairman of the group, asked government to properly scrutinize the consignments which go into the warehousing, warning that unscrupulous people could smuggle arms and drugs into the nation.

Nana Kofi Poku therefore hinted of an impending protest against the failure of government to implement real mechanisms and structures to decongest the ports, especially Tema. The group has already notified the police for the planned demonstration on 13th November at Tema.

The group described the level of congestion at the Tema Port as frustrating, to the extent that a simple 20-footer container can take more than a month to clear even when the importers have completed all the payments.

They accused officers at the scanner of further delaying the process at the scanning area in addition to two (2) overworked scanners.

Asked why the group would not rather dialogue instead of the demonstration, Nana Kofi Poku, said the concerned agents and importers have exhausted all avenues to dialogue; making reference to several interviews granted by the president of the Ghana Institution of Freight Forwarders, Mr. Carlos Ahenkorah on their challenges and yet, not much has changed.

The group is currently discussing the issue with stakeholders in the maritime trade industry to resolve the concerns identified.

Haulage Truck drivers operating at the port also expressed their frustration at what they say is unnecessary delays at the port before and after loading cargo resulting in extra cost.