Ghana is set to host the signing of the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents, known as the Accra Convention, on October 26, 2026, in a major development expected to strengthen the legal framework underpinning international trade and modernise cargo documentation.
The landmark ceremony is expected to bring together representatives of governments, international organisations and the global trading community to Accra for the signing of an international legal instrument designed to facilitate the movement of goods across borders.
The Convention seeks to establish a framework for the use of negotiable cargo documents in both paper and electronic formats across road, rail, air and maritime transport.
The announcement was made by the Director of the Foreign Trade and Negotiations Directorate at the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Madam Stella A. Ansah, on behalf of the sector Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, during a media engagement organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in Accra.
“The Convention will establish a legal framework for negotiable cargo documents in paper or electronic form for goods transported by road, rail, air and sea.”
Director of Foreign Trades and Negotiations,MoTAI, Madam Stella A. Ansah
Madam Ansah explained that the Convention represents an important step towards creating a more coherent legal environment for cargo documentation, particularly as international commerce increasingly relies on digital processes and interconnected supply chains.
Modernising International Trade Documentation
The proposed Convention comes at a time when international trade is becoming increasingly dependent on efficient documentation systems, reliable information exchange and legal certainty in the movement of goods.
Cargo documents play an important role in international commerce by recording information about goods in transit and supporting transactions between exporters, importers, carriers, financial institutions and other parties involved in the supply chain.
Negotiable cargo documents can also facilitate the transfer of rights associated with goods during transportation. Establishing a legal framework that recognises such documents in electronic form could help reduce dependence on physical paperwork and support more efficient commercial transactions.
The Convention’s coverage of road, rail, air and sea transport is particularly significant because international shipments frequently involve multiple modes of transportation before reaching their final destinations.
A common legal framework could help address challenges arising when cargo documentation moves between different transport systems and jurisdictions. It could also support greater consistency in the treatment of negotiable cargo documents across international trade networks.
For businesses, the potential benefits include reduced administrative burdens, improved coordination among supply chain participants and more efficient handling of trade documentation.
However, the practical impact of the Convention will depend on its implementation, the legal arrangements adopted by participating countries and the extent to which businesses and relevant institutions integrate the framework into their operations.
Digitalisation and Supply Chain Efficiency
Speaking at the media engagement, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo, underscored the importance of modernising trade documentation in response to digitalisation and the growing complexity of global supply chains.
“Modernising trade documentation is important in responding to the growing demands of digitalisation and increasingly complex global supply chains.”
CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo
The transition from paper-based documentation to electronic systems has become an important consideration for international trade, where delays in processing documents can affect cargo clearance, delivery schedules and business costs.
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s media engagement was organised to sensitise journalists to the significance of the Convention and Ghana’s role in hosting the international signing ceremony.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to explain the broader implications of the proposed framework for international trade and the modernisation of shipping documentation.
Ghana’s Role in Global Trade Cooperation
The hosting of the signing ceremony places Ghana at the centre of an international initiative focused on improving the legal foundations of cargo documentation.
The country’s position as host also highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing challenges that cannot be resolved through domestic policy measures alone.
Differences in national laws, documentation standards and the recognition of electronic commercial instruments can create obstacles for businesses operating internationally.
An internationally agreed framework could help establish greater predictability for parties involved in the movement and transfer of cargo-related rights.
“The signing ceremony is expected to bring representatives of governments, international organisations and the global trading community to Accra.”
CEO of Ghana Shippers Authority, Ransford Edward Gyampo
The October 26 ceremony is therefore expected to draw attention to the role of international legal cooperation in supporting the evolution of global trade.
Beyond the ceremony itself, the longer-term significance of the Convention will depend on how countries approach its adoption and implementation, as well as the willingness of commercial operators to use the framework.
The Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority are expected to play important roles in communicating the significance of the initiative to stakeholders and the wider public.
“The Convention seeks to strengthen the legal framework for modern cargo documentation and facilitate global trade.”
CEO of Ghana Sippers Authority, Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo
As preparations continue for the signing ceremony, Ghana’s hosting of the Accra Convention represents an important opportunity to advance discussions on digitalisation, legal certainty and the efficiency of international commerce.
The event will place the country in the spotlight as governments and international trade stakeholders consider how modern cargo documentation can better support increasingly interconnected global supply chains.
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