The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to withhold his approval of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024, until critical concerns raised by stakeholders are adequately addressed.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, was passed by Parliament on Monday, July 29, 2024, following its third reading in the House.
The legislation is designed to regulate the commercial activities of shippers, particularly focusing on curbing unfair and excessive charges that traders face when using Ghana’s sea and airports, as well as land borders, for international trade.
In a statement issued on August 21, signed by GUTA President Dr. Joseph Obeng, the association expressed concerns over the lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders before the bill’s passage into law.
GUTA emphasized that the business community is appealing to the President to delay signing the Act until the critical issues raised by stakeholders are resolved.
Parliament has stated that the new law will introduce greater transparency in determining port fees and ensure accountability in the legal movement of international trade cargo across Ghana’s borders.
The law is also expected to make Ghana a preferred transit trade route for its landlocked neighbors, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and enhance the sector’s revenue contribution to the national economy.
Despite these anticipated benefits, GUTA maintains that President Akufo-Addo should not assent to the bill until all concerns have been fully addressed.
