The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has accused international shipping lines operating in Ghana of deliberately resisting regulatory oversight, despite conducting business within the country’s jurisdiction.
His remarks came during an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 22, in response to growing concerns over the lack of uniformity in the exchange rates applied by shipping lines when calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
Earlier in the week, the Chamber of Freight and Trade highlighted the inconsistencies, describing them as a major challenge for importers. The President of the Chamber, Dennis Amfo Sefa, noted that some shipping lines use interbank rates from their own banks, while others lock in a rate and revise it monthly. He stressed that the absence of a standard rate undermines transparency and affects the cost of doing business.
In response, the Ship Owners and Agents Association explained that shipping lines determine their exchange rates based on the rate at the port of origin at the time a vessel departs for Ghana. They described this as standard practice in international shipping.
Professor Gyampo, however, rejected this explanation and insisted that all businesses operating in Ghana must comply with national laws and regulations.
He stated that many shipping lines have shown a clear reluctance to be regulated. He added that these are foreign businesses operating in Ghana who often want to operate on their own terms, but that would not be allowed under his leadership.
“We are going to regulate them, and we will work according to the laws of Ghana,” he said.
Professor Gyampo compared the situation to what Ghanaians experience when they travel abroad, where they are required to follow the rules and regulations of the host country. He emphasized that the same should apply to foreign companies operating in Ghana.
The Ghana Shippers Authority is expected to lead further engagements with industry stakeholders to ensure compliance and improve transparency in port operations.
