Freight forwarders and clearing agents have denied reports that their ongoing strike at the country’s ports has been suspended, insisting that the industrial action remains fully in force despite recent stakeholder engagements.
The strike, which began on Monday, April 13, 2026, has significantly disrupted operations at the ports, with operators halting the payment of duties and withdrawing their services.
The action is in protest against the introduction of the controversial Publican AI system.
Earlier claims by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority suggesting that the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) had agreed to suspend the planned industrial action have been dismissed by industry players as misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, the Joint Business Forum, signed by GUTA President, Clement Boateng, explained that although there had been a decision to halt any further escalation of protest actions, the current strike by freight forwarders remains unaffected and will continue until further notice.
“The strike action which commenced on Monday, 13th April, 2026, remains in full force. Freight forwarders and clearing agents have ceased payment of duties and laid down their tools as earlier directed. Operations at the ports remain suspended,” the statement emphasised.
The Forum explained that its decision to pause additional planned actions was taken out of respect for an appeal by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, but stressed that this gesture should not be misconstrued as a suspension of the ongoing strike.
The Joint Business Forum, which comprises key industry bodies, including freight forwarders, customs brokers and trader associations, cited longstanding operational challenges within the port system as justification for the strike.
These include unpredictable and high duty assessments, persistent delays in cargo clearance, escalating demurrage and rent charges, and the lack of an effective dispute resolution mechanism.
According to the group, these issues have created an increasingly unsustainable environment for businesses dependent on port operations.
While reaffirming its willingness to engage in dialogue, the Forum confirmed its participation in an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026.
However, it maintained that services will not resume until concrete and satisfactory solutions are agreed upon.
The Publican AI system, introduced as part of efforts to modernise port processes and improve efficiency, has sparked intense resistance from freight forwarders, who argue that its implementation has exacerbated existing challenges rather than resolving them.
By Ernest Kofi Adu