Corruption and lack of political will on the part of African leaders has been highlighted as the factors militating against efforts to integrate African economies in order to boost regional trade and develop various economies.
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr. Michael Luguje made this assertion during an exclusive chat with MMS Plus newspaper, lamenting that several notable initiatives like the Economic Committee of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalization Scheme failed because of these problems.
The objective of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme is to establish a Customs Union among all member states aimed at the total elimination of Customs. It was a trade instrument designed by the Regional Economic Community.
Luguje said; “We have to defeat that common enemy in the region which is the political will. Lack of political will is a problem, otherwise why would presidents in the region agree to sign a document, ratify and domesticated it, yet implementation isn’t done and nobody says ‘this is a commitment we made; we have to make sure it works’ to ensure free movement of goods and services within ECOWAS.
“At least we have succeeded in the issue of visas for ECOWAS countries. You don’t need visas to go to Ghana as a West African citizen. Take a look at the number of checkpoints from Seme to Lagos. It’s the same security agencies with several stops and you keep asking what they are checking. The point is that even when driving a diplomatic car, you have to queue up for them to inspect all the other vehicles before you go” he said
The Ghanaian Port Authority boss stated that he was shocked when he was told it was 80km between Seme and Lagos.
“I couldn’t believe it because people spend three to four hours for an 80km journey. You can imagine if you are transporting cargo. This can be a disadvantage for any businessman in Lagos who wants to import or export through Cotonou. The cost would be too high for him to pay.
He added that African leaders weren’t firm with punishments and were very impartial as far as punishment is concerned.
Luguje also lamented that Customs officers in the continent have become major impediments to trade in the region despite having the onus of facilitating trade.
Narrating the unpleasant situation at Ghanaian borders he said; “When you are crossing from Ghana to Cote’D Ivoire, it is an open secret that for the officers to stamp your passport you have to pay and they don’t collect their monies secretly. They take it openly and their bosses are aware that such practice is going on. Why do we condole it?”
