The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has recently voiced its support for the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law 2024, amidst calls from other industry players to halt the President’s assent to the law. The President of the IEAG, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, believes that the law, in its current form, is crucial for creating a more structured and regulated environment for trade in Ghana.
One of the key points raised by the IEAG is that the new GSA law ensures that every stakeholder in the commercial shipping value chain acts responsibly and is held accountable for their operations. This, in turn, helps to safeguard the interests of both importers and exporters, creating a more transparent and efficient trading environment.
While 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 called for further dialogue before the President’s assent, the IEAG believes that the law is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and efficiency within the shipping and logistics industry.
Mr. Awingobit highlighted the inclusion of representatives from various business associations on the Board of the Shippers’ Authority as a positive step towards ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account. He also emphasized the need 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.
The IEAG has also called for the establishment of ad-hoc committees comprising stakeholders and the Shippers’ Authority to draft the legislative instrument (LI) that will properly regulate and implement the Act. Mr. Awingobit expressed his surprise at the calls from some industry players to halt the President’s assent to the law, stating that the Shippers’ Authority has shown a willingness to listen and engage with stakeholders.
Overall, the IEAG believes that the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Law 2024 is necessary to streamline the operations of shippers and carriers in Ghana, particularly in addressing issues such as excessive fees and charges imposed by carriers on importers. By regulating the industry, the law aims to create a fair and competitive trading environment that benefits all stakeholders involved in Ghana’s trade sector.