The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), alongside the Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana, Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, and other trade groups, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to shipping lines to address concerns over what they describe as exploitative fees and practices at Ghana’s ports.
Dressed in red and holding placards with messages such as “Pay refunds promptly or abolish container deposits” and “Consumers are receiving the pains of traders,” the protestors marched through Tema to raise awareness about these unfair charges, which they argue are detrimental to the economy and the logistics and trade sectors.
Excessive fees hindering business operations
The protest, organized by freight forwarders and customs agents, aimed to bring attention to the escalating cost of doing business at the ports.
According to the Vice-President of GIFF, Nana Asiamah Peprah, numerous efforts to engage with the shipping lines on these issues have been ignored.
“We have written to them about these practices for years. Nothing has been done, but today we want to tell the shipping lines that we are not sleeping. We want to make sure that Ghanaians receive fair treatment,” Peprah stated.
He further explained that exorbitant fees, coupled with unjustified charges, are placing an undue financial burden on businesses. “The charges are way too high, and some of their practices add to the cost of doing business at the port,” he added.
Impact on importers and freight forwarders
Freight forwarders expressed frustration over how these fees are pushing importers to seek alternative ports.
“The shipping lines are cheating us, and most of our importers are now using the Togo port because of the charges we face here,” one freight forwarder explained.
Petitions Delivered to Authorities
After marching to various shipping lines to deliver their petitions, the protesters submitted additional copies to the Ministries of Transport and Trade and Industry, urging swift action.
The protestors hope that this demonstration will bring about necessary reforms and ensure fairer treatment for businesses operating at Ghana’s ports.
