The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has renewed its commitment to working closely with the trading community to strengthen Ghana’s position as the leading multimodal shipping hub in West Africa.
The pledge was highlighted at the Authority’s High Value Shippers’ (Platinum) Engagement Forum held in Accra on June 4, 2026.
The event brought together some of Ghana’s largest importers, exporters, manufacturers and other key players in the shipping and logistics industry to discuss challenges affecting the sector and identify practical measures to improve trade efficiency and competitiveness.
Participants included representatives from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the Ghana Armed Forces, Nestlé Ghana, Cargill, Olam, CIMAF Cement, Ghacem Cement, Guinness Ghana Limited, B5 Plus, Blue Skies and Duraplast.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, the Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation, Mrs Monica Josiah, said the Authority remains focused on building stronger partnerships with industry stakeholders to create a resilient and sustainable shipping and logistics sector that can support the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda.
According to her, the forum reflected a shared commitment among stakeholders to deepen collaboration across the shipping and logistics value chain while providing a platform for frank discussions on issues affecting international trade.
“Today’s gathering reflects our collective commitment to strengthening partnerships within the shipping and logistics value chain while providing a practical platform for dialogue on the critical challenges confronting shippers in Ghana and beyond,” Mrs Josiah said.
She stressed that stronger cooperation among stakeholders would be essential to driving trade growth, improving operational efficiency and enhancing Ghana’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Mrs Josiah also acknowledged the vital contribution of high-value shippers to the country’s economic development. She noted that through their investments and business activities, importers, exporters and manufacturers continue to play a key role in supporting industrial growth, creating jobs and generating revenue for the state.
“As importers, exporters, manufacturers and investors, your activities sustain supply chains and connect Ghana to the global marketplace,” she stated.
She further pointed out that the global shipping and logistics industry continues to grapple with significant disruptions and uncertainties. Rising freight costs, port congestion, container shortages, unpredictable transit schedules, exchange rate fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions and increasing regulatory requirements, she said, are placing growing pressure on businesses around the world.
Against this backdrop, Ghanaian shippers continue to face challenges including high shipping and port-related charges, delays in cargo clearance, demurrage and storage costs, cargo handling difficulties, insurance and claims-related concerns, as well as the need for greater transparency and efficiency throughout the logistics chain.
“These concerns are genuine and require collaborative solutions from all stakeholders within the trade facilitation ecosystem. Sustainable solutions can only be achieved through cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding among regulators, service providers and the trading community,” she added.
Mrs Josiah reaffirmed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s (GSA) commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of shippers while promoting a more efficient, competitive and business-friendly shipping environment.
She noted that under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), GSA remains the statutory regulator of the commercial activities of shippers and shipping service providers. According to her, the Authority is focused on improving the ease and cost of doing business through effective regulation and stakeholder engagement.
“The shipping industry is evolving rapidly, driven by digitalisation, sustainability requirements, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and changing global supply chain dynamics. Ghanaian shippers must therefore be positioned to remain competitive in both regional and international markets,” she stated.
Mrs Josiah also urged businesses that are yet to register with GSA to do so without delay, indicating that the current registration fees may soon be reviewed upward.
A key highlight of the forum was a presentation on efforts to streamline the Container Administrative Charge, a subject that has generated considerable debate within the shipping and logistics sector.
Delivering the presentation, Mr Kwesi Saforo, a Senior Officer at GSA’s Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Department, explained that Section 3(1)(o) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) empowers the Authority to approve any charges imposed by shipping service providers. He added that Section 36 of the Act prohibits service providers from levying charges that have not received GSA approval.
Mr Saforo disclosed that research conducted by the Authority revealed significant disparities in the Container Administrative Charge across West African countries served by the same shipping lines. While the charge in Ghana currently stands at US$165 per Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), the same shipping lines charge US$30 per TEU in Nigeria and US$65 per TEU in Togo.
He explained that, in line with its mandate to create a conducive environment for international trade and support Ghana’s ambition of becoming a regional trade hub, GSA intervened to address a practice that had substantially increased the cost of doing business.
As part of that intervention, the Authority reviewed the Container Administrative Charge and set it at GH¢550 per TEU, arguing that the revised rate more accurately reflected the services provided in Ghana.
However, participants were informed that following a petition by shipping lines, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, directed that the charge be temporarily fixed at GH¢720 per TEU while further consultations are held among stakeholders to reach a lasting resolution on the matter.
Representatives of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) also updated participants on proposed reforms to the certification and verification procedures for measuring and weighing equipment used in commercial activities. According to the Authority, the planned changes are aimed at enhancing accuracy, compliance, transparency, and standardisation across the industry. Stakeholders were assured that extensive consultations would be conducted before implementation to address concerns and ensure a smooth transition.
The forum also provided an opportunity for participants to raise operational challenges affecting their businesses. A major concern highlighted was the continued burden of high demurrage charges, which stakeholders said significantly increases the cost of doing business and undermines the competitiveness of Ghana’s ports.
Participants further expressed concerns about the deployment of the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) System by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the ports. Some stakeholders alleged that the AI-powered import declaration vetting system had, in certain cases, resulted in what they described as excessive charges. They called for sustained engagement with industry players and regular reviews of the system to ensure it achieves its intended objectives without placing unnecessary financial pressure on businesses.
In his closing remarks, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at GSA, Prince Henry Ankrah, thanked participants for their active involvement and constructive contributions. He assured stakeholders that the Authority would promptly address the issues raised and provide appropriate feedback, interventions, and solutions where necessary.
“The Ghana Shippers’ Authority will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to address industry concerns and promote a trade environment that is efficient, competitive, and responsive to the needs of businesses,” Mr Ankrah said.
The Platinum Shippers’ Forum forms part of GSA’s broader stakeholder engagement strategy aimed at increasing awareness, strengthening compliance, and deepening collaboration within Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector. The initiative provides a platform for industry players to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, and contribute to the development of policies that support sustainable trade and economic growth.
As global trade continues to evolve, GSA says it remains committed to working closely with importers, exporters, shipping service providers, regulators, and other stakeholders to build a more competitive, transparent, and resilient shipping and logistics industry in Ghana.