Key industry stakeholders in the shipping industry have welcomed the passage of a new Act that gives the Ghana Shippers Authority sweeping powers to oversee and approve all charges levied by shippers, freight forwarders, and shipping lines operating in Ghana.
The development was the outcome of a high-level meeting attended by representatives from across the maritime, logistics, and trade sectors.
Among the notable attendees were George Dumenu, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Autodata Ghana, and Paulina Abrokwah, Vice President of the Chamber of Autodata Ghana, who joined other industry leaders in reviewing the law’s far-reaching implications.
Under the new Act, shipping lines will no longer be allowed to apply black-market exchange rates when calculating charges—a practice that stakeholders say has, for years, created unfair cost burdens for importers and exporters.
Instead, all fees and tariffs must now receive formal approval from the Authority before implementation.
The legislation also extends its oversight to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), which must now obtain clearance before introducing any new tariffs at the country’s ports.
This, according to participants, will help eliminate sudden, arbitrary cost increases and provide greater predictability for businesses.
“This is a win for every player in the trade value chain,” Mr. Dumenu remarked. “The black-market rate issue has been a source of frustration for years, and this law finally addresses it head-on.”
For too long, the lack of oversight has allowed unpredictable pricing structures to undermine business planning. Now, we have a framework that ensures accountability; businesses can budget their shipping costs more effectively, as stated in the Shippers Review.
Other stakeholders echoed the sentiments, noting that the Act will promote transparency, fairness, and a level playing field in Ghana’s shipping and freight industry.
Participants at the meeting agreed that the reforms mark a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its maritime regulatory regime, improve the ease of doing business, and boost investor confidence in the logistics sector.
Source: Adomonline
ALSO READ:
