Members of the Northern Zone Shipper Committee have issued a fresh and urgent appeal to the Bank of Ghana to decentralize its operation of the Letters of Commitment (LOC). The appeal is expected to facilitate the speedy resolution of various challenges that currently confront exporters within the northern sector of Ghana.
The demand was made during the 5th Northern Zone Shipper Committee meeting which was organized by the Northern Zonal office of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in Tamale. At the gathering held at the Nim Avenue Hotel on 16th April 2026, several exporters of Shea products shared their struggles in reaching the Central Bank for assistance.
The meeting brought together a wide cross-section of Shippers from the Tamale Metropolis to discuss the economic landscape of the region. The diverse assembly included Shea Butter and Cosmetics Exporters who sat alongside importers of general goods and various Agro-chemical importers.
The forum also saw participation from cashew aggregators and exporters as well as motorbike importers who shared their perspectives on regional trade. The collaborative environment allowed for a comprehensive look at the logistical and financial hurdles that confront the different sectors of shipping in the Northern region.
The Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Mr. Frederick Atogiyire encouraged members of the Committee to form formidable Trade Associations. He noted that such organizations can assist them to “advance their course by advocating for improved conditions for their sectors.”
He further added that such Associations would “improve their dealings with regulatory Agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, and would enable them to work with them as clusters or groups rather than as individuals.” This unified approach, he said, would strengthen their bargaining power and operational efficiency.
Mr. Atogiyire also used the opportunity to inform members about upcoming Zonal activities including a planned Exporters’ Forum and a stakeholder meeting to discuss the concerns of cashew aggregators and exporters.
During a presentation titled “Demystifying Shipping and Harnessing its Benefits” an officer of the Northern Zonal Office of the GSA, Mr. Karim Mushin provided expert guidance on export processes. He encouraged Shippers to engage only qualified Freight Forwarders and further urged them to avoid underhand dealings in their business operations.
The Northern Zonal Manager of the Tree Crop Development Authority (TCDA), Mr. Alhassan Sumaila Dubie, made a presentation on the mandate and functions of the Authority. He reminded exporters and dealers in cashew and shea nuts to register with the TCDA to forestall avoidable challenges at the ports.
Mr. Dubie assured the meeting that he would “look into the issue of double taxation by the TCDA and District Assemblies to determine how to synchronize the two.” He also assured members of a more effective way to regulate of the shea sector to prevent expatriates from dealing directly with local shea producers at the expense of indigenous businesses.
