The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to delay his approval of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 until pressing concerns from stakeholders are thoroughly addressed.
On Monday, July 29, 2024, Parliament passed the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Bill, 2024, into law following its third reading in the House.
The legislation is designed to regulate the commercial activities of shippers, with a focus on curbing unfair and excessive charges that affect traders using Ghana’s seaports, airports, and land borders for international trade.
However, in a statement dated August 21 and signed by its president, Dr. Joseph Obeng, GUTA raised alarms over the lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders before the bill’s passage.
“The Business Community appeals to the President not to assent to the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024, until critical issues raised by stakeholders are resolved,” the statement urged.
Parliament argues that the law will enhance transparency in port fee determination and ensure accountability in the legal movement of international trade cargo across Ghana’s borders.
It is also expected to position Ghana as a preferred transit trade route for its landlocked neighbours, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger while boosting the sector’s contribution to national revenue.
Despite these benefits, GUTA remains firm that President Akufo-Addo should hold off on signing the bill until all stakeholder concerns are adequately addressed.
Find the full statement below:
The Business Community wishes to appeal to the President of the Republic not to assent to the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 until some critical issues raised on the Act by stakeholders are resolved.
They are as follows:
1. The issue of registration of shippers and shipping service providers were not discussed with us to make our input as stakeholders in the shipping industry.
2. Submission of notice of shipment was also not discussed with stakeholders for their input.
3. The final draft was issued to stakeholders only after Parliament had approved the Bill.
4. Issues raised on the suspension of registration, renewal of certificate of registration, cancellation of registration and outright rejection, which are only related to permits and licenses to operate as importers have not been resolved with stakeholders.
5. The Advance Shipment Information System that had been resisted and withdrawn by the Government in the past is now being reintroduced in the Act. Our position on that has not changed. Moreover, this information sought by the GSA is of no relevance to their operation.
6. For these reasons, the Ghana Shippers Authority had agreed to our concerns and promised that as the Act has already been passed by Parliament, they would use Legislative Instruments (LIs) to correct any defect or anomaly in the operationalization of the Act. However, our consultations suggest that LIs cannot override an Act, hence our call on the President of the Republic not to assent to the Act until all issues raised are resolved.
Source: Adomonline
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