Ghana’s shipping and logistics landscape is poised for major reform following the passage of the updated Ghana Shippers Authority Act, a move officials say will tighten regulation, improve transparency, and accelerate trade growth.
The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has announced that the new Act 1122, passed in 2024, will serve as a stronger legal and operational framework for overseeing activities within the maritime and logistics sector.
Speaking at a media engagement in Kumasi, the GSA’s Branch Manager, John Baker Glover, described the revised legislation as a timely upgrade that aligns with modern shipping demands and Ghana’s broader economic goals.
Glover noted that the shipping industry remains central to the country’s economic performance, and the updated law introduces clearer provisions and a broader mandate for the Authority.
According to him, the legislation expands the GSA’s regulatory powers, enabling it to set fair industry charges, enforce compliance, and issue binding directives aimed at protecting shippers and promoting efficient service delivery.
He explained that the new enforcement mechanisms are designed to curb long-standing challenges such as unapproved fees, irregular practices by logistics providers, and weak oversight.
“The Authority now has the power to apply strict sanctions where necessary, ensuring that all actors operate within the approved regulatory framework,” Glover said.
He urged businesses in the sector to register with the GSA and adhere to the updated compliance requirements.
Offering further clarification, Kojo Frimpong, Principal Shipper Service Trade Facilitation Officer at the GSA, stated that the legislation makes it mandatory for all shippers and service providers to present valid GSA registration numbers in their transactions.
He stressed that entities that fail to comply with the new standards risk losing their certification.
Frimpong added that under the revised Act, shippers would not be permitted to clear goods at the ports or engage in customs processes if their service providers are not properly registered.
The requirement, he said, is intended to restore integrity and consistency across the logistics chain.
The GSA believes that the strengthened legal framework will foster deeper cooperation among players in the maritime sector, encourage accountability, and position Ghana’s shipping industry for increased competitiveness in the global market.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
