The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to delay signing the recently passed Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024, into law.
GUTA, in a statement issued on August 21, 2024, expressed significant concerns over the lack of stakeholder consultation before the bill was passed by Parliament on July 29, 2024.
The association, led by its president, Dr. Joseph Obeng, argues that several critical issues remain unresolved, which could adversely affect traders and the broader business community.
The new law, which aims to regulate commercial activities involving shippers in Ghana, is intended to address the challenges of unfair and excessive charges imposed on traders using the country’s ports and borders.
Parliament asserts that the law will promote transparency in determining port fees and ensure accountability in the legal movement of international trade cargo, making Ghana a preferred transit trade hub for neighboring landlocked countries.
However, GUTA has raised concerns about several provisions within the act, including the registration of shippers, submission of shipment notices, and the reintroduction of the Advance Shipment Information System.
GUTA’s statement emphasizes that the final draft of the bill was only shared with stakeholders after Parliament had already approved it, leaving no room for meaningful input from the business community.
The association has warned that legislative instruments (LIs) promised to correct any defects in the act cannot override the existing law.
As a result, GUTA is appealing to President Akufo-Addo to withhold his assent until all issues raised by stakeholders are thoroughly addressed to avoid potential disruptions in Ghana’s shipping and trade sectors.
