The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Prof. Ransford Gyampo, has reiterated President John Mahama’s commitment to reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
During a working visit to the Aflao border post—Ghana’s largest and busiest land border—as well as the Kpoglo and Akanu-Noepe borders, he engaged with key stakeholders and urged them to eliminate deliberate actions that frustrate and delay the clearance of goods through Ghana’s eastern corridor.
He highlighted that the President’s vision is aimed at enhancing Ghana’s economic growth for the benefit of all. Therefore, State Agencies operating at the borders must actively support this forward-looking initiative rather than hinder it.
The Agencies engaged during the visit included the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), the Narcotics Control Commission, Port Health (GHS), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Standards Authority, National Security, the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), as well as executives and members of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) and the Customs Brokers Association-Ghana (CUBAG).
In his remarks, Prof. Gyampo stated, “My mandate is to protect the interests of shippers, including the traders who use your borders. If you serve them efficiently, we will be able to reduce the cost of doing business.
If, however, they engage in unlawful activities, you must enforce the law, but in doing so, do not create unnecessary delays in the clearance process. Otherwise, you will be working against the President’s vision, and that will not bode well for us.”
He further emphasized: “I do not believe in being an armchair CEO. I prefer to be on the ground to make my position clear and forceful, while also listening to your concerns. Through strong collaboration, we can build a system that truly facilitates trade. Every agency here must prioritize trade facilitation as its ultimate goal.”
Customs raises key concerns
The Sector Commander for Aflao Collection, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Joe Alan, highlighted the critical role of the Border Operations and Security Committee (BOSEC) in managing operations at the border.
He noted that BOSEC’s proactive approach has ensured consensus-building and a structured resolution of challenges, thereby maintaining border stability. “The border has remained calm over a long period due to BOSEC’s efforts in involving all stakeholders in the resolution of challenges,” he stated.
He, however, raised concerns about the use of unapproved routes, where some traders avoid the official entry points to evade customs duties. He also highlighted the activities of unlicensed Freight Forwarders who engage in cargo clearance, leading to regulatory breaches. Additionally, he pointed out cases of under-declaration and illegal cargo top-ups, where some traders misrepresent their goods or add undeclared items after customs inspection.
His colleague at the Kpoglo Border, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) Margaret Ackom, echoed similar concerns, adding that limited working space at the post prevents officers from attending to the large number of traders who utilize the border daily in good time.
At the Akanu-Noepe Joint Border Post, Second-in-Command (2-I-C) AC James Torsu identified erratic power supply as the biggest operational challenge.
“At this border, TradeMark Africa has sponsored the construction of a canopy walkway to provide shade for traders whilst they go through the processes required to clear their goods. The inconsistency in the supply of electricity, however, remains a major issue.”
Per the protocols governing the management of the Joint Border, Togo is responsible for the provision of electricity, and Ghana is responsible for providing water. The frequent power outages disrupt operations, sometimes leaving trucks and traders stranded for half a day or more. “We would appreciate it if Ghana could provide a backup power source to enable smooth operations during such outages,” AC Torsu explained.
In addition to these challenges, the State Agencies were unanimous in their concern about the numerous Police checkpoints along the trade corridor, which they said significantly impede trade and contribute to the high cost of doing business.
They further called on the GSA to intensify its sensitization among the Security Agencies to forestall the persistent allegations of extortion by some of their officers. They said that the anti-social conduct makes Ghana an uncompetitive conduit in the sub-region for international trade.
Immigration Service commits to professionalism
The Aflao Sector Commander of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Frederick Baah Duodu, congratulated Prof. Gyampo on his appointment and assured him of the commitment of the sector’s officers to professionalism and efficiency.
“We constantly remind our officers that their work directly impacts Ghana’s economic growth. Therefore, they must execute their duties with professionalism and efficiency,” he stated.
In response to the Eastern Zonal Manager of GSA, Mr. Charles Darling Asiedu-Sey, who alerted that the allegations of extortion of money from traders by some Immigration Officers still persist, Sector Commander Baah Duodu said that disciplinary measures were in place to address such misconduct whenever wrongdoing was established.
“We have dismissed, interdicted, and cautioned officers found engaging in malpractice. My doors are always open, and I have provided my direct contact to transport operators for them to report promptly to me should they encounter such misconduct, no matter the time of day,” he affirmed.
Interaction with GIFF & CUBAG: Addressing Concerns of Freight Forwarders
During an engagement with members of GIFF (Aflao District) and the Customs Brokers Association-Ghana (CUBAG), the Freight Forwarders expressed grave concern about axle load weight discrepancies between Ghana and her neighbours—Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso.
The Aflao District GIFF Chairman, Mr. John Tordzagbo, explained that the inconsistent axle load limits across the eastern transit corridor create trade inefficiencies and make Ghana’s ports less attractive.
“Trucks from neighbouring countries often face penalties or are forced to offload excess weight when they enter Ghana. This increases operational costs and delays cargo movement,” he noted.
In response, Prof. Gyampo reassured the Freight Forwarders that the GSA is committed to advocating for fair policies while ensuring that regulations are also strictly adhered to.
“We will protect shippers’ interests, but not at the expense of national regulations. These axle load limits exist to preserve our roads, and we must ensure compliance to prolong the lifespan of the roads,” he stated.
Call for Stronger Collaboration & Transparent Pricing
A GIFF Aflao District Council Member, Mr. Dela Tetevi, highlighted the excessive shipping charges that still pertain, urging that the GSA must take a firm stance to ensure fair and transparent pricing in the shipping and logistics sector.
In response, Prof. Gyampo reaffirmed the GSA’s commitment to regulating the entire shipping sector fairly and firmly, with strict enforcement of all relevant and applicable laws. He entreated the Freight Forwarders to ensure that they also comply strictly with the portions of the law that govern their operations as they call on the shipping lines to respect the laws.
The stakeholders expressed confidence in Prof. Gyampo’s leadership, stating that they believe that the nationwide engagements he was undertaking would yield the desired results and will ultimately aid in achieving the objective of reducing the cost of doing business in Ghana.
The Director of Operations, Ms. Sylvia Asana Owu, Head of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Bernice L. Natue, and the Eastern Zonal Manager, Mr. Charles Darling Asiedu-Sey, all of the GSA, accompanied Prof. Gyampo on the visit.
The post Shippers’ Authority CEO undertakes working visit appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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