As part of efforts to address the challenges faced by cross-border traders in northern Ghana, the Northern Zonal Office of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) organised a sensitisation programme in Bolgatanga on Thursday, 19th June 2025. The event took place at the Ghana Health Service’s In-Service Training Centre.
The session brought together importers and exporters dealing in cereals, cattle, electrical appliances, clothes, and footwear. The aim was to educate participants on trade compliance and border protocols. Representatives from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and the GRA-Customs Division made presentations on the objectives of the meeting.
A cross section of the participants
In his remarks, the Northern Zonal Manager, Mr. Fred Atogiyire, reaffirmed the GSA’s commitment to supporting traders. He noted the GSA’s presence at key borders and called for stronger engagement with traders to address shipping challenges. He encouraged participants to report issues to GSA for redress.
The representative of the GIS, DSI Robert Ubindam, explained that their mandate ensures smooth and lawful movement across borders, emphasising the importance of valid travel documents such as passports or ECOWAS-compliant ID cards. ASP Suleman Alhassan of the Ghana Police Service, on the other hand, underscored their role in ensuring safety, law and order, and cargo protection; and RO Suleman Umar of the GRA-Customs complemented the information by outlining their functions in trade facilitation, compliance, and revenue mobilisation.
During the interactive session, a trader queried why goods valued above $3,000 must be cleared through Agents. RO Umar clarified that the policy that requires the use of Agents aims at ensuring proper documentation. He, however, cautioned against unverified Agents.
A group picture after the event
In acknowledging the value the session had added to their business operations, Mr Zara Mashud, a cross-border trader in electrical appliances described it as “very informative,” while Mr Sabunus Chiravira, a cross border trader in shea butter expressed appreciation to GSA for the avenue to directly interact the officials of the Security Agencies as well as their officers. Alhaji Ibrahim, a cross-border trader in woven baskets, added that the session gave him confidence to engage with the authorities, and he lauded GSA for the support.
