The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to delay signing the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024, into law until critical concerns raised by stakeholders are addressed.
Parliament passed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, on Monday, July 29, 2024. The legislation aims to regulate shippers’ commercial activities, focusing on curbing unfair and excessive charges that impact traders using Ghana’s ports and borders for international trade.
However, in a statement issued on August 21, signed by GUTA President Dr. Joseph Obeng, the association expressed disappointment that key stakeholders were not consulted before the bill was passed. GUTA urged the President to withhold his assent until the concerns are resolved.
Parliament has stated that the law will promote transparency in determining port fees, ensure accountability in cargo movement, and position Ghana as a preferred transit trade route for neighboring landlocked countries. The legislation is also expected to boost revenue contributions to the national economy.
Despite these potential benefits, GUTA maintains that the bill should not be signed into law until all stakeholder issues are fully addressed.
Key concerns outlined by GUTA include the lack of consultation on the registration of shippers, the submission of shipment notices, and other regulatory measures. Additionally, GUTA opposed the reintroduction of the Advance Shipment Information System, which had been previously withdrawn by the government.
GUTA highlighted that although the Ghana Shippers Authority acknowledged their concerns and proposed to address them through Legislative Instruments (LIs), such measures cannot override an Act. Therefore, GUTA insists that the President should not sign the Act until all outstanding issues are resolved.