The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and the Mali Shippers’ Council (Conseil Malien des Chargeurs – CMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance transit trade between Ghana and Mali.
The MoU was signed in Bamako, Mali on Tuesday, 21st April 2026, by the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo and his Malian counterpart Mr. Kissima dit Bakissima SYLLA. The signing of the MOU climaxed a technical meeting between GSA and CMC —which provided a platform for Malian shippers and the Mali Shippers’ Council to outline challenges along the transit corridor.
The CMC commended the GSA for its role in improving transit trade and protecting transit shippers, especially Malian shippers using the Ghanaian corridor. They highlighted Ghana’s strategic location and their preference for the Ghanaian corridor but urged the GSA and other key stakeholders to ensure that identified bottlenecks – high shipping line charges, multiple checkpoints on the corridor, harassment by uniformed personnel along the corridor, etc. are duly addressed.
The MoU seeks to enhance the free flow of traffic between the two nations, exchange of information between the parties and support for the development of appropriate infrastructure to support transit trade.
It also aims to minimise avoidable delays at border points, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and address persistent challenges such as illegal charges, extortion and security threats along the corridors.
A Group picture after the signing of the MoU
In addition, the MoU will promote closer collaboration between the two state authorities in monitoring transit operations, sharing information, and coordinating interventions to improve service delivery and compliance within the sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, who led the GSA delegation, described the agreement as a “timely intervention to enhance trade facilitation. He noted that it would improve the efficiency, safety and predictability of transit trade between the two countries, while strengthening protection for shippers and transport operators.”
The Head of the Mali Shippers’ Council, Mr. Kissima dit Bakissima SYLLA also noted the importance of sustained cooperation and stakeholder engagement in ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement, adding that a more reliable transit system would not only benefit businesses but also contribute to regional trade integration and economic growth.
A Group picture after the signing of the MoU
