Shippers who are having challenges in clearing their goods at the ports as a result of the ongoing internet services disruptions can at least heave a sigh of relief.
The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has indicated it is working with relevant stakeholders to absolve them of any additional fees and charges stemming from the delays caused by the disruptions.
Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Department at GSA, Monica Josiah, who spoke on behalf of Baffuor Okyere Sarpong, CEO, said the authority was working to prevent demurrage and unfair rent charges.
Ms Josiah stated, “the position of the GSA is that no shipper should be charged if the delays are traceable to the service disruptions.”
At a stakeholders meeting on Thursday March 14, 2024, she said the stakeholders agreed that, “if the delays are not occasioned by the shipper, the cost is not supposed to be borne by the shipper.”
She continued that the GSA was advocating for shippers whose clearance or shipment activities have been affected by the internet services disruption at the ports.
Furthermore, she encouraged importers, exporters, and stakeholders in the shipping and logistics industry to lodge complains on any challenges they may face in their shipping activities to the GSA at its Ridge Head Office in Accra, or branch offices at Tema, Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale or any of its Shipper Complaint and Resolution Units located at the country’s entry points for resolution.
She said that would help shippers to do their business affordably.
By Samuel Boadi