The Tema High Court has fined 18 shipping lines a total of GH¢54,000 for failing to file their defence on time in a case brought against them by Johnny Mantey, the Tema District Chair of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.
The lawsuit, filed on January 21, 2025, by Mantey through his lawyer, Noah Adamtey, accuses the shipping lines of breaching the Shipping Authority Act 1122. The Act mandates that all service charges by shipping lines be submitted to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for approval.
The defendants entered a conditional appearance on January 31, 2025, but failed to file a motion to strike out the writ within the legally required 14-day period. Their appearance subsequently became unconditional, yet they did not file their defence within the next 14 days, as required by law.
Consequently, the plaintiff filed a motion on March 14, 2025, seeking judgment in default of defence. The hearing was scheduled for March 27, 2025.
At the hearing, however, the plaintiff’s legal team chose to withdraw the motion, and the court granted the request.
Presiding Judge Justice Cynthia Wiredu awarded a cost of GH¢54,000 against the 18 defendants for their delayed defence filing.
Lawyer Adamtey indicated that the plaintiff will now file a response to the defence, after which the case will move forward.