The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has firmly denied recent allegations of corruption involving staff of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).

According to the body, these accusations originated from disgruntled ship manning agents whose licenses were revoked for various violations, and are ‘baseless’ and ‘without merit.’

In a press release dated October 22, 2024, the IEAG said the GMA plays a crucial role in regulating local ship manning agencies to ensure compliance with maritime laws.

The association highlighted that several recruitment agencies have been found charging exorbitant fees to trained seafarers for facilitating their employment on foreign vessels, despite already receiving payments from shipowners.

“It is important to highlight that several of these recruitment agencies have been found to charge exorbitant fees to trained seafarers in exchange for facilitating their recruitment and employment on foreign vessels—actions that directly contravene maritime laws.

“Although these agencies receive monthly payments per seafarer placed on a ship from the shipowner/principal, they still extort money from the crew, which is a clear violation of the laws.

“Investigations by the GMA, along with reports from seafarers, foreign missions, global maritime institutions, and a recent BBC documentary, reveal that some Ghanaian recruitment agents charge prospective seafarers between GHS 30,000 and GHS 50,000,” the statement read.

Additionally, some agents have been found bonding seafarers by taking post-dated cheques, further violating maritime laws.

The statement added that the GMA has taken punitive actions against these unethical practices, penalizing first-time offenders and revoking the licenses of repeat offenders.

The IEAG condemned the false allegations spread by these defaulting agents, stating, “The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana condemns these malicious claims and urges the public to disregard them.”

The association called on all stakeholders to support the GMA in its efforts to uphold the integrity of Ghana's maritime sector for the nation's greater benefit.

ID/MA

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