The Importers & Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has labeled calls from some players in the commercial shipping industry to delay President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s assent of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) Law 2024 as ‘unfounded.’
The IEAG maintains that the new law is crucial for improving accountability and efficiency within the industry, urging the President to proceed with signing it into law.
Sampson Asaki Awingobit, President of the IEAG, explained that the law ensures all stakeholders in the commercial shipping value chain are held accountable for their operations.
“The law in its current form ensures that every stakeholder in the commercial shipping value chain acts responsibly and is held accountable in their operations. This will create a more structured and regulated environment for trade, safeguarding the interests of both importers and exporters,” he said.
His remarks come in response to concerns raised by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), who have called for a pause on the President’s assent.
They have expressed reservations about certain sections of the law, requesting more dialogue before it is signed.
Despite these concerns, the IEAG believes the law is a “significant step” toward enhancing transparency and efficiency in the shipping and logistics industry.
“The new GSA law is a major leap forward. It enhances transparency, fosters efficiency, and creates a framework where everyone in the industry knows their responsibilities,” Awingobit stated.
He added that while dialogue with stakeholders should continue, the law’s implementation should not be delayed adding,
The IEAG has also called for ongoing engagement between the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) and key stakeholders to address any practical challenges that may arise from the law’s implementation.
“Continuous engagement is key. The GSA must work closely with importers, exporters, and other stakeholders to ensure that the law addresses the challenges they face in the field,” Awingobit urged.
IEAG has requested clear guidelines and support from the GSA to help businesses adapt to the new regulations stressing that the law should be a facilitator of smoother operations, not a hindrance to trade.
“We need the GSA to provide clear guidelines and adequate support to ensure the law does not become a barrier but rather enhances trade efficiency in the country,” he stressed.
In a related development, the Trader Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has expressed surprise over calls from certain stakeholders urging the President to withhold his assent to the newly passed GSA Law.
In a statement, TAGG emphasized the importance of the law and expressed its confidence in the GSA’s ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders and address concerns surrounding its implementation.
TAGG noted that the GSA has been actively consulting with stakeholders since the day after the law was passed, and has demonstrated a commitment to continuous dialogue.
“We are surprised by the claims of some stakeholders because the GSA started engaging stakeholders the day after the law was passed and has continued its dialogue on how the law will be implemented to make Ghana an attractive and competitive trading destination,” the group stated.
The association stressed that the GSA has been receptive to feedback from the business community and is actively working to ensure the law’s implementation benefits all parties involved.
“GSA has continuously opened its doors for consultation and engagement on the portions of the law that the business community has expressed concern about,” TAGG added.
TAGG expressed confidence that the Legislative Instrument (L.I.), which will give effect to the law, will incorporate input from stakeholders, making the GSA’s operations more effective.
“TAGG believes in GSA’s commitment to ensure that the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) will take all feedback from the business community into consideration, allowing the Authority to achieve its purpose. The GSA has demonstrated this commitment through continuous engagement,” the statement continued.
The association called on the general public to recognize that the new law is designed to serve the interests of multiple stakeholders within the shipping and logistics sector and cautioned that any attempt to block the law’s progress would only benefit a select few, rather than the broader trading community.
