The New Voter Forum, a civil society organisation led by Conqueror Mawudzo Korto, has thrown its support behind the implementation of the Smart Port Note (SPN) system, which is scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2026.

The SPN is a digital certificate designed to provide Ghanaian authorities with advanced cargo information prior to shipment, a move expected to enhance trade facilitation, port security and revenue mobilisation.

According to the group, the system is intended to tackle persistent challenges at Ghana’s ports, including late submission of cargo data, documentation errors and fraud.

The Forum explained that by receiving cargo information ahead of time, state agencies will be better positioned to plan operations, strengthen security checks and improve revenue forecasting.

It stressed that the SPN is not a tax but a trade data compliance mechanism aligned with international best practices.

Outlining the benefits of the system, the New Voter Forum said the SPN would lead to improved port operations through more efficient planning and security, faster cargo clearance and reduced delays, enhanced national security through early detection of suspicious consignments, and stronger economic performance driven by reliable trade data to support policy decisions and attract investment.

Responding to concerns raised by the Coalition of Concerned Exporters, Importers and Traders over potential additional costs, the Forum maintained that the SPN will not impose new financial burdens on traders.

It clarified that exporters will be responsible for submitting export information, but the process is not intended to introduce extra charges.

On implementation, the group noted that the Ghana Shippers’ Authority has appointed Inter-Ocean Maritime and Logistics Institute and Antaser Afrique BV as the exclusive agents for the issuance and validation of Smart Port Notes.

Exporters, it added, will be able to acquire and validate SPNs through a dedicated online portal as part of the rollout of the new system.