The Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU) Ghana has urged government agencies and regulators to deepen consultations with transport operators before implementing axle load regulations under the ECOWAS harmonised transport framework.
The call comes after the association suspended a planned sit-down strike following engagements with the Ghana Shippers Authority over concerns surrounding haulage registration requirements and the enforcement of axle load measures.
Speaking at a media forum organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Mr. Ibrahim Musa, Executive Secretary of JAPTU Ghana, said the union’s decision to halt the industrial action was influenced by assurances received from the Ghana Shippers Authority regarding issues raised by transport operators.
According to him, one of the major concerns stemmed from provisions under the new Ghana Shippers Authority Act 1120, which transporters initially believed would require all haulage operators to register and pay fees before conducting business.
However, he explained that subsequent discussions clarified that the registration requirement would apply specifically to incorporated haulage companies rather than individual truck owners and transport operators.
“The clarification addressed one of our key concerns and helped ease tensions among members,” Mr. Musa noted.
Beyond the registration issue, he said JAPTU remains concerned about the planned enforcement of axle load regulations being pursued by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
While acknowledging the importance of measures aimed at reducing overloading and preserving road infrastructure, Mr. Musa stressed that successful implementation would depend on meaningful stakeholder engagement and collaborative policymaking.
He said transport operators, who are directly affected by the regulations, possess valuable practical knowledge that could help shape workable solutions and improve compliance.
“We support initiatives that protect our roads and improve efficiency within the transport sector, but operators must be part of the conversation. We also have ideas and experiences that can contribute to the success of these policies,” he said.
Mr. Musa cautioned against what he described as a top-down approach to regulation, arguing that enforcement efforts should be based on partnership rather than confrontation.
“This is not about somebody having a whip and believing they have the authority to harass operators. We need to work together to achieve the objectives of these reforms,” he said.
The JAPTU Executive Secretary disclosed that the association currently brings together 16 transport unions and associations operating across the sub-region, including members from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
He added that transport organisations from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have also expressed interest in joining the association, reflecting the growing regional importance of cross-border transport operations and logistics.
Given the multinational nature of the transport industry within the ECOWAS corridor, Mr. Musa said policies affecting cargo movement and haulage operations require extensive consultation to ensure they are practical and responsive to operational realities across member states.
He noted that effective implementation of axle load regulations would not only protect road infrastructure but also improve safety standards and facilitate smoother movement of goods across borders.
However, he maintained that these benefits can only be fully realised when regulators, transport unions and private sector operators work together to develop solutions that balance infrastructure protection with the economic interests of transport businesses.
Mr. Musa therefore called for continuous dialogue between government institutions and industry players to build consensus and ensure that reforms achieve their intended objectives without disrupting livelihoods.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration would enhance compliance, reduce tensions within the sector and support the broader goals of regional trade integration under the ECOWAS transport framework.
