The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has intensified enforcement of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), amid growing concerns about its effectiveness in regulating the country’s shipping and logistics industry.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, the Authority defended its renewed regulatory mandate, which followed its transformation into a full-fledged regulatory body under the Act passed by Parliament in July 2024 and assented to in October.
The law mandates all shipping service providers—including shipping lines, freight forwarders, terminal operators, and clearing agents—to submit proposed fees, charges, and tariffs to the GSA for review and approval before implementation.
The Authority disclosed that it has already blocked some proposed fee hikes, citing a lack of commercial justification.
Responding to concerns that strict regulation could hamper trade, the GSA emphasized that its approach is “collaborative, not adversarial,” and is guided by investigations, public hearings, and stakeholder consultations to ensure fairness.
The Authority also revealed ongoing collaboration with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to address complaints about the arbitrary application of foreign exchange rates by some shipping lines.
A high-level meeting involving the GSA, BoG, and industry stakeholders was held on July 15 to discuss possible solutions, with a formal directive from the central bank expected later this week.
To fully operationalize Act 1122, the GSA is also working with regulators in air, sea, and land transport sectors to draft a Legislative Instrument (LI) that will provide the necessary legal framework for robust enforcement.
The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to protecting stakeholder interests and enhancing Ghana’s position as a competitive regional trade hub.
Source: AdomOnline
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