Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transport, has assured the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) of the government’s commitment to ensuring that shipping lines do not relocate from Ghana’s ports.

He said some shipping companies had raised concerns about Act 1122 of 2024, stating that the law positioned the GSA as both a regulator and an asset manager, leading to bureaucratic challenges that increased the cost of doing business at the ports.

The Minister gave the assurance on Monday when he paid his first official visit to the GSA in Accra, to familiarise with their operations, listen to their concerns and share his vision with them.

He mentioned President John Mahama’s pledge during the electioneering period to reduce the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports by revising existing laws.

Addressing these concerns, he said, could persuade shipping lines to reconsider their decisions to exit Ghana and pledged to work closely with the Authority to streamline operations and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that deter business.

“The threat of shipping lines relocating is real. We must act ahead of time to create an environment that encourages them to stay. My presence here today is to listen to your concerns and assure you of our commitment to working together to protect the interests of shippers and shipowners,” he said.

The Minister said with over 80 per cent of global trade being done by sea, Ghana must create a business-friendly environment to attract and retain international trade partners.

He assured the GSA that the Ministry would support the implementation of the revised Act 1122 of 2024, which strengthens the Authority’s regulatory role.

He added that the government remained committed to fulfilling its promise of reducing the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports by reviewing taxes, duties, and levies to create a more competitive shipping environment.

The Minister called for enhanced collaboration between the GSA and the Ministry to ensure Ghana’s ports remained attractive to business.

He stressed the importance of addressing inefficiencies and implementing policies that aligned with the government’s “24-hour economy” agenda.

He urged the GSA’s management and staff to support the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and work collectively to transform Ghana’s shipping industry into a hub for trade in the sub-region.

“Next time we visit you, the story of people trying or thinking to leave our seaports will not come up. Instead, we should be talking about new investments and increased trade activity in Ghana,” he said.

Professor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of the GSA, welcomed the Minister’s visit, stating that it was long-awaited and reassuring.

He mentioned the Authority’s role in protecting the interests of shippers and outlined the historical background of the GSA, which was established in 1974 to counter unfair pricing practices by liner conferences.

Prof. Gyampo said the 2024 revision of the GSA Act expanded its role to regulate commercial activities of shippers and shipping service providers in the shipment, storage and delivery of international trade cargo by sea, air and land.

However, he noted that some shipping lines had expressed concerns over the Authority’s regulatory oversight, particularly in approving charges.

The CEO further revealed that some shipping lines owed the GSA outstanding fees, an issue that had been raised at the Public Accounts Committee.

He assured the Minister that under the government’s “Reset Ghana Agenda,” the GSA would effectively regulate commercial shipping activities to ensure fair pricing and efficiency.

Prof. Gyampo reiterated the GSA’s commitment to working with the Ministry to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the global shipping industry and to retain shipping lines in the country.