All active complaints

Showing items 1 to 20 of 44
Complaint number NTB Type
Category 1. Government participation in trade & restrictive practices tolerated by governments
Category 2. Customs and administrative entry procedures
Category 5. Specific limitations
Category 6. Charges on imports
Category 7. Other procedural problems
Category 8. Transport, Clearing and Forwarding
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ECOWAS
Reporting country or region
ECOWAS
Status
 Actions
NTB-000-002 7.3. Corruption 2011-01-20 Ghana: Paga Ghana In process View
Complaint: The activities of these ‘goro boys’ were reported to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade and Transport some 3 years ago. Further to this, a memorandum was issued by the then Deputy Commissioner of Operations on March 24th 2011, to the Assistant Commissioner at Bolgatanga, directing that necessary steps be taken to stop these illegal activities at the Paga station and further directed that the transit truck drivers be made to present their documents directly to GRA Customs without using these intermediaries.

After a relative short improvement in terms of a reduction of these irregular activity , we can report that these “goro boys” are back at Paga and their activities have even extended to Hamle and Kulungungu border posts. This persistent problem adds extra and unnecessary costs to traders, rendering the Tema–Paga corridor uncompetitive for transit trade, and contributing to increasing costs of doing business along our transit corridors. 		 
Progress: On 23rd September 2014, the Ghana National Committee of Borderless Alliance met the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and respectfully requested their outfit to take the necessary steps to address the menace as it adds unnecessary costs to doing business.  
NTB-000-004 7.3. Corruption 2014-02-19 Benin: Kraké Nigeria New View
Complaint: I was furious yesterday at the activities of the Benin Police who stamp peoples passport. In fact I was returning to Lagos from Porto Novo yesterday, and on reaching the Benin Immigration cubicle (where they stamp passports), I saw an ugly scene. Nigerians returning like myself were shouting and cursing, but nobody was ready to listen.
What was the problem? The Benin officers insisted that every new passport attracts a stamping fee of =N=1,000.00 and old passports (like my own) attracts a fee of =N=500.00. Previously they charged =N=500.00 for new passports and =N=200.00 for old passports.

I gave them the old fee, and they promptly threw it back at me. Even when I explained that I am coming from a very legitimate trip (From Songhai Centre), the officer-in-charge (around 1:00pm) retorted that Songhai Centre do not control borders, and threw my passport back to me. After shouting and waiting for about 20 minutes, (and being that I was in a hurry to move ahead so I can meet an urgent appointment in Lagos), I had no option but to painfully give them the =N=500.00, which they pocketed, before stamping my passport.

This reporting this incident i want to seek clarifications from you as to what is proper and also a call for you to investigate and sanction Benin Police & Immigration officers. All you need to do is to visit Benin stamping office with passport, and they will tell you the fee. Also Nigerian Immigration officers charge =N=500.00 for new passports and =N=200.00 for old passports. Please investigate all these, and restore order at Seme-Krake border! 		 
NTB-000-005 6.5. Variable levies
Policy/Regulatory 		2014-03-19 Ghana: Point of Loading Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: Section 20 (2) of the VAT Act, 1998 (Act 546) outlines the place of supply rules for services. One cardinal determinant of the tax status of a supply of service under the VAT Law is where the supply is made. That is, if established that the place of supply of a service is Ghana, then such a supply comes for consideration as taxable at the standard VAT rate under the VAT law. This directly implies that if the place of supply of service is not Ghana, no VAT should be levied.  
Progress: On 23rd September 2014, the Ghana National Committee of Borderless Alliance met the Ministry for Finance and Economic Planning of Ghana requesting that VAT should be pro-rated and charged on only the distance covered in the Ghanaian territory as is practiced in neighbouring countries. This is in direct adherence to the existing VAT law.  
NTB-000-001 2.9. Issues related to transit fees
Policy/Regulatory 		2014-07-23 Ghana: Aflao Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The US$200 transit fee is a disincentive to the transit export trade through the ports of Ghana, which mostly consist of low value raw or semi-finished agricultural products. These exports compete on the world market with similar products from others in the sub-region. This significantly affects export volumes. For example SOFITEX has discontinued the export of cotton through Ghana mainly because of the implementation of the US$ 200 transit fee. This measure is also encouraging malpractices in the system which deprives Ghana of the legitimate benefits. It is important to note also that Ghana is the only country within the West Africa sub-region where exports from landlocked countries are obliged to pay a transit fee.

Another adverse effect of this fee is the fact that it encourages traders to move cargo in large consignments in order to avoid multiple payments per consignment. This often leads to congestion at the borders and also at the warehouses where goods are being offloaded. Such large movements are also not too good for the sustainability of the roads. 		 
Progress: The Ghana National Committee of Borderless Alliance respectfully requested the Ministry for Finance and Economic Planning of Ghana in a meeting on 23rd September 2014 for the repeal of those sections of the law (i.e. the Customs Excise and Preventive Service (Management/Amendment) Act (614), 2002 and Section 48 Sub-section 2 of PNDC L 330 as amended by the Commissioner’s Order No. 6 of 2002), especially when no such fees are imposed at the seaports and airports for the transit import trade.  
NTB-000-003 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges
Policy/Regulatory 		2014-08-23 Ghana: Aflao Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: A particular Burkina Transport Company (name withheld) which had been subjected to withholding tax in Ghana when it was moving goods on transit.  
Progress: On 23rd September 2014, the Ghana National Committee of Borderless Alliance met the Ministry for Finance and Economic Planning requesting that the Ghana Revenue Authority issue a statement clarifying the issue and specifying that this refers to all foreign transport companies contracted to transport cargoes from Ghana’s port to another country.  
NTB-000-006 7.3. Corruption 2014-11-19 Ghana: Tamale South Ghana In process View
Complaint: Multiple Police Checkpoints and harassment in the northern section of the Tema – Paga Corridor . Multiple complaints received from drivers especially from Techiman, Tamale and Babato. The police demand money from the drivers before releasing them though all their documentation are in order. This delays the drivers for very long hours.  
Progress: Police contacted via phone to deal with specific reported cases. Meeting formally requested with the IGP to work together on a strategic solution to the problem.

Progress :
20th March . Initial meeting held with Ghana Police Service . As other stakeholders have requested for meetings on the same issue, a multi stakeholder meeting will be planned shortly.

Progress :
28th March. A multi stakeholder meeting was held with the police service to review the problem of harassment at multiple police checkpoints along the corridor. Stakeholders included BA, National Facilitation Committee Secretariat, Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, Trade Hub Network, Burkina Shippers Council, Ghana Shippers Authority. Police Service acknowledged the gravity of the problem and called for an action plan to resolve harassment issue.

Progress :
8th April 2015 . Meeting held to review the multi stakeholder action plan. Actions planned include Corridor Monitoring, Sensitization and Publicity (Stickers and Billboards to publicize Police Service Help lines), Press Release from Ghana Police Service to prohibit stopping of transit vehicles along the corridors, Police Service to issue Directive to enforce wearing of ID by all Police Officers on Duty, design of a compliance document to ensure all truck and cargo requirements are met on departure from Tema Port , caravan on the Kumasi-Paga section of the corridor, meeting with Regional Police Commanders, etc. A follow up meeting is planned within a month. 		 
NTB-000-018 6.2. Administrative fees 2016-07-12 Ghana: Tema Port Ghana In process View
Complaint: The Greater Accra Regional Shipper Committee has kicked against proposed Terminal Handling Charges by Shipping Lines for imported and exported goods at the country’s ports.

The group say the cost of doing business is already high, and so adding more charges will further worsen the plight of the business community.

In a joint Press Release, the group said ‘’the payment of the handling charges as an isolated local charge to the shipping lines is completely alien to the practice of shipping in Ghana since terminal operators already charge shippers the THC for cargo handling services provided’’. The Shippers argued that the proposed charges will be detrimental as shippers are already grappling with multiplicity of taxes. 		 
Progress: Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has take a number of initiatives to address the additional charges being levied for imports and exports.

1. GSA has held a number of meetings with stakeholders, AGI,GNCC, GPHA, FAGE, GIFF, FFAG,GUTA.
2. GSA has also discussed the matter with Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG).
3. On 26th July 2016 there was a stakeholder consultation at the Trade Fair center, and a communique was agreed to reject the THC being impose by shipping lines.
4. The communique was copied to the Ministry of Transport, Flagstaff House.
5. It is expected that, the communique will be published in the National dailies by Monday.
6. the Ministry of Transport is writing to all shipping lines to hold on with the THC

GSA is working with other stakeholders to ensure these charges are not introduced.

Progress: 10-08-2016
The Ministry of Transport of Ghana has issued a communique to suspend the Terminal Handling Charges (THC) with effective 10th August 2016 pending the outcome of investigations and advice from Ghana Maritime Authority. 		 
NTB-000-028 8.7. Costly Road user charges /fees 2018-01-05 Ghana: Tema Port Ghana New View
Complaint: Attempt to impose an illicit entry fre, desguised as a union membership fee  
NTB-000-068 7.10. Other 2018-01-31 Ghana: Ayinam Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver called to be taught the right procedure to follow because he was involved in a clash with another car.  
Progress: GSA staff supplied the driver with the ECOWAS Brown Card secretariat's number. He also called the secretariat to be sure of the right procedure to follow. This procedure he (GSA staff) did explained to the driver.  
NTB-000-091 8.4. Transport related corruption 2018-03-01 Ghana: After Wa Mali In process View
Complaint: Two truck drivers were asked to GH 5.00 before they could continue their journey.  
Progress: Upon hearing this, GSA staff asked to speak to the police but they refused to cooperate.

After this, one of the drivers was released but the other maintained. This pushed GSA staff to contact the focal person at the MTTD headquarters to seek his intervention. The latter said he would call the in charge at Wa and get back to GSA staff. 		 
NTB-000-098 2.6. Additional taxes and other charges 2018-03-07 Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso New View
Complaint:  
NTB-000-099 8.4. Transport related corruption 2018-03-12 Ghana: Akom Axle load Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver called because on the February, 17 2018, he exited the harbour after weighing his truck without a sign of overoad. He got ot the motorway and weighed with problem. At his arrival at the exit of Kumasi (Akom), he was told he carried overload and was asked to pay a fine of GH 200.00. The officers told him that in case the subsequent weighing bridges do not record an overload, they will pay him back on his return from Burkina Faso.  
Progress: Upon hearing this GSA staff spoke to the cashier who told him that the driver has to go to their head office for his receipt to be endorsed by his boss before he can pay the driver back.


After tis discussion, GSA staff called Mr. Awune,() and explained the situation him. The latter told him that he would contact and give the regional commander at Kumasi GSA staff's number for a prompt resolution of the complaint.


To avoid any challenge with the goods the driver was conveying, GSA staff asked the latter to continue his journey and assured to alert him on any development on the matter. 		 
NTB-000-108 8.4. Transport related corruption 2018-04-11 Ghana: Paga Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver called because a certain ma n who claimed he is a delivery agent (Kweku Harry) collected their papers and asked them to pay 5000 cfa before he takes the papers to the Customs. There were about thirty (30) trucks.  
Progress: Upon hearing this, GSA staff asked the so called delivery agent to hand the papers back to the drivers and the latter did so.  
NTB-000-120 8.2. Administrative (Border Operating Hours, delays at border posts, etc.) 2018-05-02 Ghana: Jema Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver transporting a sealed container was fined GH 1000.00 for overload (3.64 kg) at Akom on the 29th of April 2018. At his arrival at Jema they realized 2.5kg overload and he was being asked to pay another fine.  
Progress: Upon hearing this, GSA staff called Rev. Kusi, the Ashanti Regional Coordinator who said that Jema is in the Brong Ahaffo region. He therefore advised that GSA staff calls Mr. Awune from the Ghana Highways Authority.

GSA staff tried cxalling Mr.Awune but his number was going through. He then called Mercy Payne to provide him with their focal person at the GHA. This number was sent to GSA staff later in the evening.

The following morning, that is on 3rd May 2018, called Mr. Brown, the new focal person at GHA and Mr. Awune but there was no response.

GSA staff later spoke to one of the weighbridge operators and asked him to allow the driver to continue since he has already been fined at Akom. 		 
NTB-000-134 8.4. Transport related corruption 2018-05-17 Ghana: Adome bridge Togo In process View
Complaint: The driver returning from Togo was stopped at Adome Bridge by the police and asked to pay GH 30.00.  
Progress: When speaking to the police, GSA staff was told that the diver's license was (fake) not authentic.

So, GSA staff asked the driver if his license is the correct one. He says yes. GSA staff explained to the police what the driver said. The police officer objected to this and said they will process the driver for court. 		 
NTB-000-158 8.4. Transport related corruption 2018-07-13 Ghana: Entrance Nandoli Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The Police asked the driver to GH 5.00  
Progress: When called, GSA staff asked to speak to the police but they all refused to cooperate.  
NTB-000-174 Inconsistency of weigh bridge 2018-10-02 Ghana: Yape Axle load Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The truck driver got to Yape weigh bridge and was told the his vehicle weighed 61.62 t whiles from the burkina weighing paper it weighed 53t. So the operators were asking the diver to GH 200.00.  
Progress: When called, GSA staff asked to speak to one of the operators. The latter told GSA staff that there is a difference between the weigh bridges in Burkina and those in Ghana. He further explained that if for instance a truck weighs 59t in Burkina, it may weigh 62 or 63t in Ghana.

GSA staff called Mr. Ishmael BAYA from the GHA who said the driver should pay the GH 200.00 and go to AKOM to weigh so that the two weighing certificates. If there is a difference between then they will refound the driver.

GSA staff instructed the driver to do just as Mr. Baya said, and he did.

On Wednesday, 3rd October 2018, around 7am, the driver called to confirm that at Akom (Kumasi) he weighed 48.16 		 
NTB-000-211 misconduct of drivers 2019-05-30 Ghana: Asankare police barrier Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: GSA staff received a call from the above Police barrier on the issue of a truck driver who accidentally hurt an officer while the police was trying to put him to order. When the driver got to the checkpoint, there were many trucks before him but he tried to overtake them. It was here that one officer (the victim) got closer to the truck and tried to open the door from the mate's side. at that same time the driver moved the truck which caused the hurt and the tearing of the officer's uniform.  
Progress: Upon hearing this, GSA staff confirmed from the driver if these things were true. The latter confirmed the incident. The officer said they would take the victim to the hospital.  
NTB-000-221 Harassment and corruption on the corridor 2019-07-01 Ghana: Exit Walewale (coming back from BF) Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver got to the checkpoint and sent his mate with his papers and GH 2.00 to be given to Police.
But the Police refused and said the would process the driver to court because he didn't cover the iron scrub he was transporting and second claimed the driver's license was not an original one. He's been kept for more than 3 hours. 		 
Progress: When called, GSA staff interacted with the Police and advised that the police release the driver.  
NTB-000-223 Extortion of money by Customs Officers ( 2019-07-01 Ghana: Customs Office (Head Office) Burkina Faso In process View
Complaint: The driver's truck got broken down and he reported to the Customs. After repairing the truck, the driver went back to the Customs to retrieve his papers but the Officers asked that he paid GH 300.00 before they could release the documents.

Let's note that the driver had been at the Customs from 8 am and as at 2:30pm he was not released. 		 
Progress: When the driver called, GSA staff asked to speak to the officers there but they all refused to cooperate.

GSA staff called Mr. Teteh (Assistant Commissioner) in charge of transit who directed him to ask of Mr Agbozo and later Mr. Yankie. The officers just claimed none of these persons was around. 		 
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