The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has called on the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) to enforce the approved GHS720 administrative charge on shipping containers, accusing shipping lines of defying both the regulator’s directive and a High Court ruling by continuing to impose higher fees.
Speaking in an interview with 3Business on July 29, GUTA’s President, Dr. Clement Boateng said shipping lines have ignored the court’s decision and the regulator’s directive, insisting they have not received authorization from their parent companies abroad to implement the GHS720 charge.
GUTA is therefore urging the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) to take decisive action against shipping lines that have failed to implement the approved GHS720 administrative charge for shipping containers.
According to Dr. Clement Boateng, the continued collection of previous charges by shipping lines violates a High Court ruling that upheld the approved administrative fee after an earlier interlocutory injunction had temporarily halted its implementation.
“Since the court made the pronouncement, the shipping lines are still charging their old fees, which contravenes the court’s ruling,” he said.
Dr. Boateng explained that the shipping lines have argued they are yet to receive approval from their foreign principals to begin charging the Ghana Shippers Authority-approved fee. As a result, he said, importers and traders continue to face what GUTA describes as excessive charges.
He called on the Ghana Shippers Authority and other relevant authorities to ensure compliance, stressing that failure to enforce the directive undermines the country’s legal and regulatory framework.
“It is about time the shipping lines respect the laws of the country. You cannot operate in a sovereign state governed by the rule of law, ignore a directive issued by the regulator, and continue to charge fees that have not been approved,” Dr. Boateng said.
He warned that continued non-compliance by the shipping lines would send the wrong signal about the enforcement of laws in Ghana.
“Authorities must put their feet down and ensure the shipping lines comply with the Shippers Authority’s directive. Otherwise, we risk creating the impression that anyone can disregard the law without consequences,” he added.
By Coffie Mawuedem Noel
