Ghana Shippers Authority Act to reduce port costs, boost business – Joseph Nikpe

The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has assured the business community that the recently passed Ghana Shippers Authority (Amendment) Act will significantly reduce the cost of doing business at the country’s ports, providing relief for importers and exporters.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra, the minister explained that the legislation strengthens the mandate of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), granting it broader powers to regulate charges, protect shippers from unfair practices, and enhance efficiency in port operations.

“The Ghana Shippers Authority Act will significantly reduce the cost of doing business at our ports by ensuring fairness and eliminating arbitrary charges,” Nikpe stated.

“This reform is central to our commitment to improving Ghana’s competitiveness in international trade.”

According to the Minister, the Act empowers the GSA to negotiate freight charges, mediate disputes, and enforce compliance among shipping service providers.

The government aims to minimize frustrations businesses face with excessive demurrage fees, multiple tariffs, and inefficiencies in the clearing process.

Nikpe emphasized that reducing port costs is crucial for national development, noting that Ghana’s ports handle about 80 percent of the country’s international trade.

“When shippers save money at the ports, it translates into lower costs for goods and services across the economy. This directly benefits ordinary Ghanaians,” he said.

He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure and operational initiatives to strengthen Ghana’s maritime and port sector, including:

• Construction of the Akatechiwa Fleet Park along the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor to improve truck turnaround time and reduce congestion at border posts.

• Reactivation of Dock 2 at the Tema Shipyard to expand ship repair services and create jobs for Ghanaian artisans and engineers.

• Award of a dredging contract to China Harbor Engineering Company to deepen parts of the Tema Port, allowing larger vessels to dock and lowering freight costs.

• Deployment of a 24-hour maritime surveillance system to combat piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing in Ghana’s territorial waters.

“These investments will not only improve port efficiency but also position Ghana as a preferred maritime hub in West Africa,” the Minister added.

Nikpe stressed that these reforms align with the government’s broader “Resetting Ghana Agenda,” which seeks to modernize the entire transport system, including road, rail, aviation, and inland waterways.

“Our goal is to make Ghana’s transport system safer, more efficient, and cost-effective. The Shippers Authority Act is a game-changer because it directly tackles the cost burden that businesses and consumers have complained about for years,” he said.

He assured stakeholders that the government will continue to engage the private sector to ensure the reforms translate into tangible cost savings and greater competitiveness for Ghanaian businesses in the global market.