The disagreement among stakeholders over the new Shippers’ Authority law is not ending any time soon. The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) which has entered the fray, has described calls from some players in the commercial shipping industry for President Nana Akufo-Addo to desist from assenting the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law 2024, as unfounded.
Mr Sampson Asaki Awingobit, the Executive Secretary of the Association, said the law in its current form ensured that every stakeholder in the commercial shipping value chain acted responsibly and was held accountable for their operations.
He said for the IEAG, the law created a more structured and regulated environment for trade, ensuring that the interests of both importers and exporters were safeguarded.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) have expressed reservations about certain sections of the law and have asked the President to delay assenting it until further dialogue was had. However another trader association, Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has wholeheartedly embraced the Act and rather expressed shock over the opposition of GUTA.
The IEAG asserted that the new GSA law was a significant step towards enhancing transparency and efficiency within the shipping and logistics industry, and while further dialogue was needed, the assent should not be halted.
He said the Shippers’ Authority had shown willingness to listen to all stakeholders and they were confident that the door was still open for further engagement.
He called for clear guidelines and support from the GSA to help businesses adapt to the new regulations, ensuring that the law did not become a barrier to trade but a facilitator of smoother and more efficient operations within Ghana’s trade sector.
“In my view, this Act is necessary to streamline the operations of shippers, particularly carriers who have been exploiting importers by imposing excessive fees and charges,” he said.
