The Joint Consultative Business Forum (JCBF), a coalition of major business and trade associations in Ghana, has thrown its support behind the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in its efforts to regulate shipping charges and protect businesses from what it described as excessive and unjustified fees imposed by international shipping lines operating in the country.
At a press conference held on May 21, 2026, the Forum said attempts by some shipping lines to seek legal injunctions against the Authority’s regulatory interventions were unfortunate and contrary to the national interest.
The coalition, made up of groups including the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, and other trade bodies, argued that Ghanaian businesses have for years suffered from high shipping and port-related charges that have increased the cost of imports, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer goods.
“The Joint Consultative Business Forum considers this legal action unfortunate and inconsistent with the broader national interest of promoting fairness, transparency, and competitiveness within Ghana’s trading environment,” the statement said.
According to the Forum, businesses are already struggling with inflationary pressures, exchange rate instability, rising operational costs, and unfair competition, making it necessary for the state to protect legitimate enterprises from exploitative practices.
The JCBF maintained that the Ghana Shippers’ Authority acted within its statutory mandate under Act 1122 of 2024 to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the shipping industry.
“The Forum firmly believes that attempts to obstruct or delay these reforms through injunctions and prolonged legal battles undermine efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Ghana and weaken confidence in regulatory institutions established to protect national economic interests,” it stated.
The business coalition further insisted that the Ghana Shippers’ Authority must be allowed to exercise its lawful regulatory authority without interference or intimidation.
It also called for shipping service charges and administrative fees to remain transparent, reasonable, and subject to proper stakeholder engagement.
The Forum stressed that Ghanaian businesses and consumers deserve protection from arbitrary charges that negatively affect the economy.
It further urged the government to continue supporting reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business at the ports and improving the competitiveness of the Ghanaian economy.
The JCBF called on government, Parliament, organised labour, civil society organisations and the wider business community to support the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in its efforts to restore fairness within the shipping and logistics sector.
