News:
July 31, 2024
Parliament on Monday, July 29, 2024 passed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, to make the authority a regulatory body; that is the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
This is hoped to among other things;
• ensure the balance of interests between shippers and service providers in the international carriage of goods and related logistics activities in a manner that translates into efficiency and competitiveness in international trade;
• bring transparency in the determination of port fees and charges, and will by that, ensure that there is better accountability in the legal movement of international trade cargo across all of borders of Ghana;
• make Ghana a preferred transit trade route for her landlocked neighbours, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and overall, enhance the sector’s revenue contribution to the national purse.
Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Arku, Director responsible for Business Development and Commercial Service at GSA, addressing the press in parliament after the passage said the new law is an enabler, in the sense that, it will empower Ghana Shippers’ Authority to better adapt to emerging trends and complexities within the shipping and logistics industry. In this capacity, GSA can better protect the interests of shippers and shipping service providers, and improve its regulatory oversight of the entire industry.
“One of the fundamental reasons for the passing of this law is the need for effective regulation of the shipping and logistics sector to guarantee fair pricing and charges for all stakeholders, especially importers and exporters”, he added.
On her part, Director of Operations at the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu asserts that the new law will to enhance transparency, and accountability, and invariably drive improved revenue generation and collection for national socio-economic growth.
ESTABLISHMENT
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) was established 50 years ago by NRCD 254 (1974) to regulate the commercial activities of shippers and shipping service providers in the shipment, storage, and delivery of international trade cargo by sea, air, and land.
Over the last five (5) decades, GSA has driven compliance with established standards and guidelines in the commercial shipping sector in Ghana, and through Ghana to Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
Ghanamps.com