The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has described calls from some players in the commercial shipping industry for President Nana Akufo-Addo to halt his assent to the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law 2024 as unfounded.

According to the Association’s President, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, the law in its current form ensures that every stakeholder in the commercial shipping value chain acts responsibly and is held accountable for their operations.

For the IEAG, the law creates a more structured and regulated environment for trade, ensuring that the interests of both importers and exporters are safeguarded.

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) have expressed reservations about certain sections of the law and have asked the President to delay assenting to it until further dialogue takes place.

However, the IEAG asserts that the new GSA law is a significant step toward enhancing transparency and efficiency within the shipping and logistics industry, and while further dialogue is needed, the assent should not be halted.

Awingobit said in an interview, “I am aware that with the new law, the Board of the Shippers’ Authority now includes representatives from AGI, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ghana Union of Traders.

They also agreed to set up ad-hoc committees comprising stakeholders and the Shippers’ Authority to draft the legislative instrument (LI) that will properly regulate and implement the Act. We are still waiting for the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to invite us to form this ad-hoc committee.

Therefore, I was surprised to see that my colleagues have issued a statement calling for the President not to assent to the passed bill. I believe that the current Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act is intended to support the business community, especially shippers, importers, and exporters. The Shippers’ Authority has shown a willingness to listen to us. I am confident that the door is still open for further engagement.”

Furthermore, the IEAG has called for clear guidelines and support from the GSA to help businesses adapt to the new regulations, ensuring that the law does not become a barrier to trade but rather a facilitator of smoother and more efficient operations within Ghana’s trade sector.

“In my view, this Act is necessary to streamline the operations of shippers, particularly carriers who have been exploiting importers by imposing excessive fees and charges. Sometimes, when an importer pays the port charges but cannot cover the additional fees imposed by the carrier, the carrier will hold the cargo, even when higher authorities have intervened. Now that the Shippers’ Authority has an Act to regulate this industry, I am fully prepared to engage, and I know that others share this commitment,” he added.