GSA Officials with GUTA, AGI, GNCCI president and other members after the stakeholders meeting
Stakeholders in the shipping sector, namely, the Ghana Union of Traders Associations (GUTA) the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) have applauded Parliament for the recent passage of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) Bill, 2024, into law.
The new GSA Bill repeals and replaces the 50-year-old 1974 Act (NRCD 254), addressing gaps identified in the previous law and existing Legislative Instrument (L.I.) while ensuring adherence to global best practices.
This new legislation empowers the GSA to tackle long-standing issues such as unfair charges, lack of transparency, and ineffective regulation that have hindered the blue economy.
The law also specifically targets the excessive charges that burden traders utilising the country’s sea and air ports, as well as land borders for international trade.
Speaking after a meeting held with the trade associations at the Ghana Shipper’s House in Accra, recently, President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, emphasised the significance of the new Shipping Act, stating that it empowers the GSA to approve or disapprove various charges imposed by shipping lines, thus providing essential relief for traders.
“The cost of doing business in this country is just too high. This act is crucial for us as it seeks to bring some controls to bear on these charges, allowing us to conduct our business more effectively and grow our operations,” he remarked.
While expressing support for the legislation, Dr. Obeng also pointed out some gray areas within the act that require further attention.
He noted that stakeholders have been assured that these concerns will be addressed in future updates to the law.
“We will support this act, but it is essential that we work together to identify and resolve any shortcomings,” he added.
Similarly, President of AGI, Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darkeh, expressed strong support for the new Act, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening the business community.
“We believe this is a welcoming document that will empower shippers to engage with agents more equitably,” Mr. Darkeh stated.
He highlighted that the role of the GSA is now well-defined, positioning it as a referee to help create fairness in the cost of doing business, particularly at ports of entry.
“As explained, an airline will be developed to deepen the implementation mechanisms, and we will actively contribute to this process,” Mr. Darkeh added.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo reiterated that the new legislation aims to amend portions of the existing act that has governed Ghana’s shipping industry since 1974.
“It is essential that we amend certain aspects of the law to reflect the current state of our shipping industry,” he said.
Mr. Marfo emphasised the importance of continuous engagement with stakeholders to identify and address challenges within the act.
“Going forward, we aim to establish a unified body for the shipping industry to enhance collaboration and efficiency,” he added.
In an earlier comment when the Bill was passed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GSA, Kwesi Baffour Sarpong, said while the amended law is a significant step in the right direction, it is not a magic silver bullet.
He also assured stakeholders that the enforcement of the law will be fair and representative of the interests of the shipping industry, marking a major win for Ghana in its quest to become the preferred trade hub in the region.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke