Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana - The New Voter Forum, a civil society organization, has expressed support for the Ghana Shippers' Authority's (GSA) rollout of the Smart Port Note (SPN) system, scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2026.
Speaking at a press conference, Conqueror Mawudzo Konto, Lead Convenor of the New Voter Forum, emphasized that the SPN is not a tax, but a modern system designed to provide Ghana with accurate cargo information before goods arrive at the port.
"The SPN is a trade facilitation and advance cargo information system focused on early visibility of shipments," Konto explained. "It ensures that cargo information is provided at the port of loading, digitally verified before shipment, and made available to Ghana while the cargo is still in transit."
Konto dismissed concerns raised by the Coalition of Concerned Exporters, Importers and Traders that the SPN could cost Ghanaian shippers and consumers between €187.2 million and €382.8 million annually.
"We can emphatically state for the records that SPN is not a tax or won't come with any additional cost to the trader," Konto said. "Exporters are responsible for submitting export information, just as they already do for certificates of origin, export declarations, and quality and inspection documents."
The New Voter Forum argued that the SPN would bring numerous benefits, including improved port operations, enhanced revenue forecasting, strengthened border and port security, and better policy decisions based on accurate data.
The organization also highlighted the importance of the SPN in meeting global standards for trade facilitation, security screening, and access to international development finance.
"We are calling on all stakeholders in the ports ecosystem to support this innovative system," Konto said. "The New Voter Forum stands in solidarity with GSA and its partners as they implement the Smart Port Note starting February 1, 2026."
