GSA expects total control with new shipping regulation

By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE

The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) will soon implement a new shipping regulation that enables ease of doing business at the ports, Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has revealed.

The regulation seeks to enhance GSA’s legal mandate of fully regulating the commercial shipping space and allied ancillary services.

Mr. Nikpe, addressing members of the Authority’s newly constituted board of directors, said a draft legislative instrument has been developed and is going through stakeholder consultation to implement the new GSA Act 2024 (Act 1122), which was passed by parliament in July last year.

“This new regulation’s objective is empowering the Authority to have full control of the commercial shipping space in line with modern and best practices,” the minister said.

The regulation is expected to be finalised and submitted to parliament by close of year for approval, giving full operational effect to the Act.

There is a growing concern about multiple state agencies involved in port procedures and processes – leading to high cost of doing business at the port, complaints of high demurrage charges by shippers and taxes on transit cargo.

However, it is expected that the new law will enable GSA to roll out and implement measures and strategies which lead to a reduction in cost of doing business for port users.

The new regulation will also reduce daunting bureaucracies associated with doing business and navigating processes at the ports.

These efforts are expected to improve turnaround time at the ports and general cost of doing business, which have an impact on prices of goods and services in the country.

The minister emphasised that improving port operations will not only ease the financial burden on shippers but also support the broader national agenda, particularly government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy.

The board members

The newly sworn-in Board is chaired by Mike Allen Hammah. Other members include Prof. Ransford Edward Van Gyampo; Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono;  Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku; Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali; Dr. Frederick Appoh; Dr. Eme­lia Assiakwa; Clement Boateng, Nathaniel Amonoo Wilson, Alex Mensah, Yaw Adu-Agyei Gyamfi, Madam Salamatu Fuad and Ewurabena Aubynn.

While expressing confidence in the Board’s capabilities, the minister advised members to focus on strategic oversight and refrain from interfering in day-to-day operations.