GSA engages industry players to reduce cost of doing business

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the gap between the regulator and industry players in a bid to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance efficiency in the shipping sector.

This was highlighted during a breakfast meeting that brought together senior executives from leading import and export firms.

Speaking at the opening session on November 11, 2025, the CEO of the GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, said the engagement forms part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration with industry players and address operational challenges faced by shippers in the southern zone.

He described the engagement as “a critical step towards building a stronger, more transparent partnership between the GSA and our valued shippers.”

He noted that the meeting represented more than a routine consultation saying, “It was a deliberate attempt to bridge the gap between the regulator and industry players so that together we can reduce the cost of doing business and enhance efficiency in the shipping sector.”

Highlighting the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), Professor Gyampo said the new law grants the GSA clearer powers to check arbitrary charges by shipping service providers while empowering shippers to lodge complaints for binding and enforceable resolutions.

“Section 36 of the Act prohibits the imposition of unapproved charges. This is an important safeguard for the business community, and I encourage every shipper to report any such charges so we can act swiftly to protect your interests,” he stated.

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Professor Gyampo also emphasized the development of minimum service standards to guide fair dealings in the industry and announced that the first phase of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal is 85 percent complete.

“Once fully operational, Boankra will significantly ease the movement of cargo between the middle belt, northern Ghana, and transit countries,” he said.

He urged shippers to register with the GSA as required by law, noting that registration would help maintain a reliable database to anticipate disruptions and respond promptly.

The Head of Freight and Logistics at the GSA, Fred Asiedu-Dartey, assured participants that the upcoming Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to operationalize Act 1122 would address many concerns.

He added that the GSA is fast-tracking approval of the L.I. to enhance regulatory clarity.

“The L.I. will, among other things, clearly define when discharge is deemed complete, so that shippers are not unfairly charged demurrage from the moment a vessel drops anchor,” he said.

SP/MA

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