Indigenous Freight Forwarders operating at the Tema Port have urged the next head of the Ghana Shippers Authority to enforce compliance with shipping regulations, ensuring shipping lines adhere to the laws governing their operations in Ghana.
The call, led by the Convenor of the Indigenous Freight Forwarders, Godfrey Mawuli Tettey, comes in the wake of a lawsuit filed by a prominent freight forwarder against shipping lines and agents over alleged unapproved port charges.
The freight forwarders insist that alleged lax regulatory enforcement under the previous administration enabled shipping lines to operate unchecked, adversely impacting the shipping industry and the economy at large.
Interacting with The Chronicle at the Tema Port on Friday, Mr Tettey emphasised the urgent need for reforms in the sector, pointing out that unregulated practices such as arbitrary charges and inefficiencies have led to high operational costs for businesses.
He said, “We cannot allow shipping lines to continue exploiting the system to the detriment of the freight forwarding industry and the Ghanaian economy. Therefore, whoever President Mahama will appoint to lead the Shippers Authority must prioritise the enforcement of the laws to ensure fair and competitive practices in the sector.”
In this regard, the freight forwarders appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a competent leader with a deep understanding of the shipping sector, saying that such a person would be instrumental in revitalizing the industry.
“President Mahama must appoint someone with the requisite expertise and commitment to address the challenges in the shipping sector.
“We need a proactive leader who can push for policies to make the shipping business thrive and end the era of exploitation by shipping lines,” Mr Tettey explained.
The convener reiterated the group’s support for the ongoing legal actions and protests against shipping lines, describing them as a necessary step toward ensuring accountability and protecting the interests of freight forwarders and other stakeholders in the industry.
He urged the government to work closely with stakeholders in the sector to develop and implement reforms that would boost the shipping business and contribute to economic growth.
Concluding, Godfrey Mawuli Tettey said, “The shipping industry remains a crucial component of Ghana’s economy, and stakeholders are watching closely to see how the government and the Ghana Shippers Authority address these pressing concerns.”
