The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has accused international shipping lines operating in Ghana of resisting regulatory oversight, despite operating within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
His comments follow concerns raised by the Chamber of Freight and Trade on Wednesday, May 21, about inconsistencies in the exchange rates used by shipping lines in calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
“The shipping lines are not under any obligation to use the BoG rate. Some use interbank rates from their own banks. Others lock in a rate and review it monthly. This lack of uniformity creates serious challenges for importers,” said Dennis Amfo Sefa, President of the Chamber.
In response, the Ship Owners and Agents Association clarified that shipping lines base their exchange rate calculations on the prevailing rate at the port of origin at the time a vessel departs for Ghana, not on rates determined by the Bank of Ghana. This, they argue, reflects standard international shipping practices.
However, speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 22, Prof. Gyampo noted that while these issues can be resolved, there are deliberate efforts by shipping lines to sidestep Ghana’s regulatory frameworks.
“Some shipping lines do not want to be regulated. Remember, these are foreign businesses that have come into our country to do business, but somehow, they want to do things on their own. But I have told them that it cannot happen under my watch. We are going to regulate them, and we will work according to the laws of Ghana.
“Because we have all been to their countries before, and when in Rome, you do what the Romans do. In the countries where we went to go and study, we were given rules to work with. We didn’t say that because we were coming from Ghana, we would do things anyhow we please. But most of them do not want to comply with our laws,” he stated.
The Shippers Authority CEO also revealed that shipping lines had, in the past, resisted legal provisions requiring them to submit their service charges for approval.
“Even in the law that gives us the power to demand their service charges and to approve or otherwise, they fought with the Ghana Shippers Authority, Parliament, and even the president.
“When it comes to the implementation of policies, they still drag their feet. But some of us are too patriotic to Ghana, so we will, and we will ensure that what the laws say is what we will do,” he stated.
Exchange rate disparities at Ports ‘unjustified’ — Freight Chamber