The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has announced that the government is taking steps to amend the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) Act to give the Authority greater control over port operations and shipping lines, with the ultimate aim of reducing the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports.
Speaking in a media interview, the Minister confirmed that disagreements between port operators and shipping lines, including ongoing legal disputes over alleged unfair charges, had prompted government to act decisively to strengthen the mandate of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
“Yes. You will realize that these days we have been on the move to ensure that we get the Ghana Shippers Authority Act amended. That will give the Ghana Shippers Authority the mandate to be able to control the activities of the port and also regulate the work of the shipping lines properly. Some of our laws were not helping in controlling those issues.”
Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe
According to him, the Cabinet has already approved the proposed amendments to the GSA Act, paving the way for Parliament to consider the new legal framework when it reconvenes. “…But thank God the Cabinet has approved of the amendments, and when Parliament reconvenes, it will be laid in Parliament. That will give the Ghana Shippers Authority the power to regulate and also fix charges,” the Minister stated.
The amendments, he emphasized, are designed to directly address the rising concerns of businesses over excessive and often arbitrary fees at the ports. “I remember that when that happens, they will have the authority to be able to bring down costs of doing business at the port and also run the port effectively,” he assured.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority, established under Act 1122 was originally created to protect and promote the interests of shippers, but industry observers have long argued that its powers are limited and inadequate in tackling unfair practices by shipping lines and terminal operators.
The proposed amendments, once passed into law, will grant the Authority broader regulatory oversight, including powers to set and standardize charges, enforce compliance, and directly intervene in disputes between port users and service providers.
“All the terminals are under the Shippers Authority, and when their law is amended, the Act 1122, when it is amended, the Act 1122, it will be able to give them the necessary controlling powers to be able to regulate”.
Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe
In recent times, stakeholders, including freight forwarders, importers, and exporters, have consistently complained about a multiplicity of charges that significantly raise operational costs.
Shipping lines in particular have been accused of imposing arbitrary fees on consignees, with little oversight from regulators. These charges, traders argue, increase the cost of imports and exports, undermine competitiveness, and eventually translate into higher prices for consumers.
Industry players have also drawn attention to the ripple effect of high port charges on Ghana’s economy. For many businesses, the port is the first point of entry for raw materials, inputs, and finished goods.
When costs at the port escalate, the additional burden is passed along the supply chain, affecting industries, jobs, and livelihoods. The proposed amendment of the GSA Act, therefore, is seen as a long-overdue reform to restore order, fairness, and predictability in port operations.
Hon. Nikpe’s announcement is therefore welcome news for the business community, as many would look forward to its successful implementation. While the legislative amendment will provide the Authority with new powers, enforcement must be consistent and impartial to ensure the anticipated relief materializes.
The Minister, however, expressed confidence that the changes will yield significant benefits once operational. By empowering the Ghana Shippers’ Authority to take on a more assertive role, he believes Ghana will not only ease the cost of doing business but also improve its competitiveness as a trading hub in West Africa.
“When their law is amended, they will have the authority to be able to bring down costs of doing business at the port and also run the port effectively”.
Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe
The announcement comes against the backdrop of the Mahama-led administration’s broader efforts to streamline its port and trade facilitation systems. Recent reforms, including digitization of port processes and the introduction of the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), have already helped to reduce some bottlenecks, though complaints about delays, costs, and overlapping agencies persist.
If passed, the changes will represent one of the most significant shifts in Ghana’s maritime regulatory framework in recent years, granting the GSA the teeth it needs to act effectively on behalf of shippers. For the Transport Minister, the vision is clear: a reformed, regulated port environment that prioritizes efficiency, fairness, and affordability.
