GUTA, AGI Confident in Amended GSA Law

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) have expressed confidence in the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law, 2024, recently passed by Parliament to amend the 50-year-old Establishment Law.

They believe the amended law, if well implemented and enforced, will mitigate the recurrent issues of unfair and excessive charges burdening traders who use Ghana’s sea and airports.

At a meeting held at the Ghana Shippers’ House on August 1, 2024, the two associations hailed the Amended Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law, 2024, as a game-changer, empowering the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to effectively regulate the local blue economy.

Dr. Joseph Obeng, GUTA President, said, “We are confident that the new law will empower the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to regulate charges and provide significant relief to the business community.”

Dr. Humphrey Ayim Darke, AGI President, shared similar sentiments, saying, “We believe the new law will strengthen the business community in two ways: by giving the GSA the capacity to engage with agents equitably and reducing the cost of doing business, especially at the point of entry.”

Both associations are optimistic that the law will among other things empower the GSA to regulate unfair and excessive charges; bring transparency in port fees and charges determination; ensure accountability in the legal movement of goods and services; and promote Ghana as a preferred trade hub in the region

Their confidence stems from collaborative efforts between the government and industry stakeholders in crafting the amended law.

Sanitizing the Shipping Industry

The high-level meeting, also attended by the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI), GSA, and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Kofi Ahenkora Marfo, underscored the collaborative efforts to address and streamline shipping industry challenges, marking a significant step forward in regulatory reform and business facilitation in Ghana.

Hon. Marfo told the media that the amended law will sanitize the shipping industry, ensuring better accountability of legal activities in the blue economy locally and beyond the shores of Ghana.

Background

Parliament passed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, into law on July 29, 2024, repealing and replacing the 50-year-old establishment law. The new law addresses gaps in the old law, existing Legislative Instrument (L.I), and ensures global best practices.

Empowered by the new law, the GSA will better adapt to emerging trends and complexities within the shipping and logistics industry, protect shippers’ and shipping service providers’ interests, and improve regulatory oversight.

GSA CEO Kwesi Baffour Sarpong said the amended law is a huge step forward but not a magic silver bullet. He assured that enforcement will be fair and representative of the shipping industry’s interests, marking a significant win for Ghana in its quest to become the preferred trade hub in the region.