The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has welcomed the newly passed Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) Law, saying it will offer the Authority “the teeth to bite” to effectively regulate the shipping industry.
The Association said the law would empower the GSA to exercise control of the port and have the power to approve or disapprove import charges that affect the general cost of doing business in the country.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement organised by the GSA in Accra, Dr Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA, said the regulation of charges would give respite to businesses and ensure their growth.
“We have been propagating all this while that we revive the laws of Shippers Authority so that they can have proper mandate to control.
“The cost of doing business in this country is just too high and this Act seeks to empower Ghana Shippers Authority to do just that for us to make sure that some controls are brought to bear so that they can approve or disapprove; so that we can have the respite to do our business and grow,” he said.
The stakeholder engagement sought input for setting up a Legislative Instrument (LI) that would guide the implementation of the new law.
The trade associations that were engaged include Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the GUTA.
Dr. Obeng encouraged other stakeholders, including clearing agents, to also get involved in the GSA’s stakeholder engagements so that all of them would get their concerns addressed in the LI and ensure benefits for all.
Parliament on Monday July 29, 2024, passed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill 2024 into Law after its successful third reading on the floor of the House.
The new law which amends its 50 years’ old establishment law, NRCD 254 (1974), will regulate commercial activities of shippers, and primarily address the issue of unfair and excessive charges that burden traders who use Ghana’s sea and airports, as well as land borders to ply their international trade.
It seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, as well as to increase national revenue and to make Ghana a preferred destination for her landlocked neighbours, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Latest Stories
-
Youth Resource Centers: Wa facility ready for commissioning
23 mins -
Ghana League: GFA needs to find creative ways to whip up interest – Addae-Mensah
23 mins -
Playback: EC’s address on matters arising from exhibition of provisional voters register
48 mins -
Lions International – District 418, Ghana joins calls for ban on illegal and unregulated small-scale mining
58 mins -
I’II secure 80% votes in Tamale North Constituency for Mahama – Suhuyini
1 hour -
Ransford Antwi files to contest as independent Parliamentary Candidate in Sunyani East
2 hours -
Arrest and prosecute Pius Hadzide for ‘openly admitting’ he took people to Australia for Commonwealth Games – NDC
2 hours -
Three Red Cross staff killed in strike in eastern Ukraine
3 hours -
UN says Israeli strike on Gaza school killed six of its staff
3 hours -
GII advocates for amendment of electoral laws in campaign financing
3 hours -
Police agree with NDC on routes for September 17 demo against EC
3 hours -
Prof Gyampo condemns politicization of UTAG’s anti-galamsey advocacy
3 hours -
Locked up funds: SEC to release GH₵400m each in October, December to affected investors
3 hours -
Heal KATH Project faces setback due to cedi depreciation – Project Chair
3 hours -
Galamsey: CAG calls for resignation of Lands Minister; deputies
3 hours