Ghana’s importers and exporters are demanding more than promises—they want decisive action. And if the new Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Professor Ransford Gyampo, is to be believed, action is exactly what they will get.
During a meeting with the leadership of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), led by their Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, Prof. Gyampo assured industry players that under his tenure, trade regulation would be firm, fair, and transparent. The meeting, held at the GSA headquarters, was more than just a courtesy call—it was a crucial discussion about skyrocketing trade costs, excessive shipping fees, and Ghana’s ability to remain competitive in global markets.
Mr. Awingobit, a relentless advocate for importers and exporters, did not mince words. He described the persistent burden of excessive handling charges imposed by shipping lines as a major threat to businesses. “We fought tirelessly for the amendment of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act because we knew that without legal backing, businesses would continue to suffer,” he said. “Now that the law is in place, we expect it to work.”
In response, Prof. Gyampo made it clear that his administration would not sit idle while businesses struggled under unfair charges. “Our job is not just to watch from the sidelines,” he declared. “The new Act gives us the authority to approve or reject charges. If fees are unreasonable, they will not stand. It’s as simple as that.”
Prof. Gyampo further revealed that the GSA had already started drafting a legislative instrument to give full effect to the new Act. He assured stakeholders that the process would be consultative, and would engage all relevant players, including shipping lines. He, however, made it clear that compliance with Ghana’s trade regulations would not be optional. “We all follow the laws of other countries when we do business abroad, so the same must apply here. Foreign and local businesses alike must respect Ghana’s trade regulations,” he insisted.
Beyond the immediate battle over shipping charges, a larger concern remains—the rising trend of businesses shifting operations to neighboring countries due to high trade costs in Ghana. Prof. Gyampo acknowledged this challenge and promised that the GSA would work to reverse it. “Trade is the heartbeat of our economy. If doing business in Ghana becomes too expensive, we will lose investment and jobs. That cannot and will not happen under our watch,” he assured.
The meeting ended on a note of commitment, with both sides pledging to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the new Act.
