In a major boost to trade facilitation, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has partnered with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to roll out a specialized digital portal to dismantle non-tarrif bottlenecks.
The initiative, known as the NTB Reporting and Resolution Platform, is designed to provide a swift, transparent mechanism for resolving complaints linked to Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). It will also provide a structured channel to receive complaints from shippers, particularly cross-border traders. Additionally, the platform will enable prompt resolution and tracking of issues through designated state Agencies at the country’s entry and exit borders.
GSA secured full funding for the project in line with its resolve to explore alternative sources of income to finance its enhanced trade facilitation. The increase in the scope of its trade facilitation activities is driven by the expansion in its mandate under Act 1122 (2024), the governing law of the Authority.
The strategic partnership between GSA and TMA highlights a collaborative commitment to streamlining operations for shippers, to ensure that trade-related hurdles are identified and cleared with precision, to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness on the continent.
Speaking at a meeting to kick start the development of the platform, the Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, said: “ The proposed platform will not only improve complaint intake and resolution, but will also provide reliable data to support evidence-based advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration with national, regional and continental stakeholders; particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.”
He added that over the years, NTBs have been a major obstacle to effective trade facilitation, as they continue to impose high costs on shippers, disrupt supply chains and undermine the competitiveness of the economy. “ The upgraded platform introduces several transformative features, including the ability for traders to report issues in local languages, offline functionality to ensure inclusivity, a strengthened back-office system to enable timely institutional action, and tools to track resolution timelines and generate performance reports.”
TMA on their part reiterated their commitment to enhancing trade facilitation in Ghana and across West Africa.
The NTB Reporting and Resolution Platform is expected to go live by the end of 2026.
