The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has intensified efforts to sanitise the commercial shipping industry, pledging to fully leverage the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) to eliminate operational inefficiencies and arbitrary costs.
The renewed commitment formed the focus of discussions at a Shipper–Stakeholders’ Committee Meeting held on Tuesday.
The high-level forum brought together key state regulators and security agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), National Security, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service.
Other institutions present were the Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority, Narcotics Control Commission and Port Health, reflecting a coordinated effort to streamline inspection and clearance processes within the shipping value chain.
Private sector participation was also strong, with logistics companies such as DHL, FedEx, Swissport and Aviance joining the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU) and various Freight Forwarders Associations to review the sector’s performance in 2025 and outline priorities for 2026.
Opening the meeting on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Head of the Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Department, Mrs. Monica Josiah, described the forum as a platform for reflection, dialogue and collaboration.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess collective performance, acknowledge existing challenges and agree on practical and sustainable solutions to strengthen Ghana’s shipping industry.
Mrs. Josiah noted that shippers and service providers continued to face operational and regulatory challenges in 2025, including delays in inter-terminal container movements, frequent ICUMS system downtimes, screening- and inspection-related damage to air exports, inadequate trade infrastructure, extortion and harassment, as well as arbitrary charges and exchange rates imposed by some service providers.
While commending agencies for interventions already implemented to improve service delivery, she stressed the need for shared responsibility among stakeholders.
“Every stakeholder has a role to play in proactively facilitating international trade through our ports and transit corridors,” she said.
A major highlight of the meeting was the GSA’s progress in enforcing transparency in the cost of doing business. Mrs. Josiah announced the abolition of Airline Handling and Documentation Charges, describing the fees as illegitimate.
She assured stakeholders that enforcement of the directive remained a top priority and that full compliance would be ensured across the aviation sub-sector.
Mrs. Josiah also said the GSA was monitoring the Bank of Ghana’s directive on foreign exchange application to ensure shipping lines applied approved commercial bank rates, in order to protect shippers from arbitrary billing practices.
She further disclosed that operations at the Boankra Inland Logistics Terminal were expected to commence in 2026, describing the facility as a “game-changer” for Ghana’s trade logistics architecture.
The meeting also highlighted growing support within the shipping sector for the Government’s 24-Hour Economy Initiative, with ports now operating around the clock.
Mrs. Josiah revealed that the GSA had established a 24-hour helpline to provide continuous support to shippers and service providers.
During stakeholder engagements, JAPTU acknowledged a reduction in road extortion but called for sustained training for officers of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, on its part, addressed concerns about cargo clearance delays, attributing many bottlenecks to late initiation of documentation by shippers.
Mrs. Josiah emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among stakeholders to enhance efficiency and safeguard shipper interests.
She said the GSA would not relent in its efforts to ensure a fairly regulated, efficient and sustainable shipping sector, adding that the Authority remained committed to addressing outstanding challenges within the framework of Act 1122.
