The Ghana Shippers Authority has denied reports that a private foreign shipping company, Hapag Lyods has started charging an Ebola levy in the country.
This is despite an earlier notice by the company to charge a levy on shipment of goods in the sub region to cover Ebola screening.
The countries to be affected included Ghana, Senegal , Cote d’Ivoire, Benin and Nigeria.
According to the notice which was expected to effective on September 1, this year the company is expected to charge 250 dollars for a 20-footer container and 350 dollars for a 40-footer container.
Speaking to Citi Business News the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority Dr. Kofi Mbiah said they are closely monitoring the situation.
“This information from Hapag Lyods was sent some time ago , it was sent on their global website. They have not implemented it”, he said.
According to Dr. Kofi Mbiah Nigerian authorities have confirmed to him that no such charge has also been imposed in their country.
The levy was to compensate for the fees charged at the ports in the sub region undertaking screening to check the spread of the Ebola epidemic.
Meanwhile The Ghana Shippers Authority has not received any form of notification from Hapag Lyods about the Ebola Levy surcharge.
According to Dr. Kofi Mbiah , the company is obligated as part of due process to do so before implementation.
“if they are to impose a charge on Ghana specifically , they will give notice of that to Ghana and that has not been done” he said.
By: Rabiu Alhassan/citifmonline.com/Ghana