Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe
The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has pledged his commitment to supporting the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in the comprehensive implementation of its new law.
According to the minister, the GSA Act 2024 (Act 1122) is crucial in enhancing efficiency, promoting transparency, and strengthening the regulatory environment within Ghana’s shipping and logistics sector.
Speaking during a working visit to the GSA on Monday, February 24, 2025, the minister noted that, considering the important role seaports play in facilitating about 80 percent of global trade, Ghana’s seaports must be given utmost attention to better serve shippers and shipping service providers.
“We at the Ministry of Transport (MOT) want to give you the firm assurance that we are going to support you in implementing the new Act and operationalizing it. I will also be there to take it through parliamentary processes and ensure its full execution,” he said.
Mr Nikpe was quick to add that several reports on recurring challenges faced by shippers and shipping service providers had been brought to his attention.
He assured stakeholders that he would make every effort to address these issues holistically to foster economic growth and position Ghana as a leading maritime hub in the sub-region.
“We are here to give you our firm assurance that the interest of our Authority is protected. During the election, the President made a promise to reduce the cost of doing business at our seaports, which involves revising the governing laws—taxes, duties, and levies at the ports. We will lead the charge to ensure that whatever laws govern the port are reviewed to create an enabling environment for all those operating within it to conduct business effectively and freely,” he added.
Mr Nikpe noted that the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) had paid him a visit and outlined some challenges they faced with the new GSA Act.
He urged the GSA to engage with SOAAG on the concerns raised and find an amicable resolution to promote their business interests and attract more shipping lines to the country, rather than pushing them to ply their trade elsewhere in the sub-region.
The Minister of Transport emphasised that stakeholder engagements would be key in ensuring inclusivity and a collective effort to drive socio-economic growth for the mutual good of all in the commercial trading space.
The CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, assured the minister that, with the support of his capable management and staff, all concerns would be effectively addressed.
He informed the minister that he had received strong backing from his team and that plans and programmes were being rolled out to support the government’s resetting agenda, which is centred on economic growth.
He took the opportunity to provide a brief history of the GSA and emphasised the importance of enacting a new law to regulate the country’s commercial shipping activities.
He noted that the previous legislation, which had been in force for fifty (50) years, was no longer effective in addressing the evolving challenges of the sector.
“The main thrust of our legislation is to tackle the key challenges impeding trade and resolve issues that contribute to the high cost of doing business in Ghana. The objective, as envisioned by the framers of the new law, is to establish a robust commercial shipping environment that enhances international trade while ensuring fairness, efficiency, and competitiveness for all players in the industry.”
He further stated that the mandate of the GSA has been broadened to safeguard the interests of shippers and shipping service providers in a manner that facilitates and enhances international trade.
He emphasised that the GSA will go to great lengths to effectively implement its laws.
The meeting was also attended by the Chief Director at the Ministry of Transport, Mabel Sagoe, along with other Directors from the Ministry.
The team from the GSA included the Director of Finance, Peter Mensah Abrampah, and several Heads of the Agency.
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