Professor Ransford Gyampo is the CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has pledged to ensure that international shipping lines operating in Ghana comply fully with the country’s laws.
According to him, despite doing business in Ghana, many of these companies resist adhering to local regulations, a stance he strongly opposes and vows to change.
“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 operate on their own terms. But I have told them it cannot happen under my watch. We are going to regulate them, and we will operate strictly according to the laws of Ghana,” he said.
He continued, “We have all travelled to their countries before, and when in Rome, you do what the Romans do. In those countries where we studied or visited, we were given rules to follow. We didn’t insist on doing things the Ghanaian way. Yet most of them refuse to comply with our laws.”
Professor Gyampo’s comments follow concerns raised by the Chamber of Freight and Trade about inconsistencies in exchange rates used by shipping lines to calculate demurrage and other port-related charges.
President of the Chamber, Dennis Amfo Sefa, stated that shipping lines are not obligated to use exchange rates set by the Bank of Ghana.
“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,” he noted.
Professor Gyampo further criticised the defiance and sluggishness of some shipping lines in implementing regulations.
“Even in the law that gives us the power to demand their service charges for approval, they fought the Ghana Shippers Authority, Parliament, and even the President,” he said.
“When it comes to implementing policies, they continue to drag their feet. But some of us are too patriotic to Ghana, and we will ensure that the laws are upheld,” he added.
SSD/MA