A High-Value Shippers’ (Platinum) Engagement Forum brought together leading importers, exporters, manufacturers, and industry stakeholders, including the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Armed Forces, Nestlé Ghana, Cargill, Olam, CIMAF Cement, Ghacem, Guinness Ghana, B5 Plus, Blue Skies, and Duraplast. 

A statement from the GSA, copied to the Ghana News Agency, said Mrs Monica Josiah, Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation, acknowledged the critical role of high-value shippers in sustaining supply chains, driving industrial growth, creating jobs, and generating revenue. 

She noted that global shipping continues to face disruptions, including rising freight rates, port congestion, container shortages, exchange rate volatility, and compliance requirements. She further cited high port charges, clearance delays, demurrage costs, insurance concerns, and the need for greater transparency, which continue to exert pressure on businesses and Ghanaian shippers. She stressed that sustainable solutions require cooperation among regulators, service providers, and the trading community. 

She added that the GSA’s statutory mandate under Act 1122 (2024) is to protect shippers’ interests and facilitate a competitive and responsive shipping environment, urging unregistered shippers to register promptly while hinting at an impending upward review of fees. 

The Ghana Standards Authority also briefed participants on proposed reforms to certification and verification procedures for measuring and weighing devices, assuring stakeholders of extensive consultations before implementation. 

The statement said stakeholders raised concerns over high demurrage charges and the Ghana Revenue Authority’s AI-driven import declaration vetting system, which they said had, in some cases, resulted in unreasonable charges. They called for continuous engagement and periodic reviews.