Professor Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, has accused international shipping lines operating in Ghana of resisting regulatory oversight, despite conducting business within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
His comments follow concerns raised by the Chamber of Freight and Trade on Wednesday, May 21, regarding inconsistencies in the exchange rates used by shipping lines for calculating demurrage and other port-related charges.
“The shipping lines are not under any obligation to use the BoG rate. 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,” said Dennis Amfo Sefa, President of the Chamber.
In response, the Ship Owners and Agents Association clarified that shipping lines base their exchange rate calculations on the prevailing rate at the port of origin when a vessel departs for Ghana, not on rates determined by the Bank of Ghana. They argue this reflects standard international shipping practices.
Professor Gyampo stated that while these issues can be resolved, there are deliberate attempts by shipping lines to sidestep Ghana’s regulatory frameworks.
“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 do things on their own. But I have told them that it cannot happen under my watch. We are going to regulate them, and we will work according to the laws of Ghana,” he asserted.
He added, “Because we have all been to their countries before, and when in Rome, you do what the Romans do. In the countries where we went to go and study, we were given rules to work with. We didn’t say that because we were coming from Ghana, we would do things anyhow we please. But most of them do not want to comply with our laws.”
The Shippers Authority CEO also revealed that shipping lines had previously resisted legal provisions requiring them to submit their service charges for approval. “Even in the law that gives us the power to demand their service charges and to approve or otherwise, they fought with the Ghana Shippers Authority, Parliament, and even the president,” he said. “When it comes to the implementation of policies, they still drag their feet. But some of us are too patriotic to Ghana, so we will, and we will ensure that what the laws say is what we will do.”
Related: Minister Expresses Concern Over Threat to National Security and Calls for Nationwide Registration
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has issued a stern warning regarding the increasing presence of unregistered and untraceable weapons in Ghana, describing it as a growing threat to national security. During a working visit to the Northern Region on Wednesday, May 21, the minister revealed that the number of illegally owned firearms in civilian hands has reached alarming levels. This, he stated, contributes to a dangerous culture of indiscriminate gun use, even in minor disputes. “The number of arms in the hands of our citizens is getting to an alarming level. It’s giving the Peace Council, police, and other security agencies a lot of headaches,” he stated. “At the least provocation, you hear a gunshot. How did these people get the guns?” The minister, who also serves as MP for Asawase, emphasized the need for a nationwide initiative to ensure all firearms in circulation are properly registered for tracking and accountability. He further called for technology-driven solutions and public-private partnerships to enhance security surveillance and disrupt the illegal arms trade. “The government cannot do this alone. We need to bring in private sector support. With today’s technological tools, we should be able to identify who is importing and distributing these weapons,” he said. “Let’s use technology to make our country safe.” The Minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns from security agencies and civil society groups about the impact of illegal arms on peace, law enforcement, and community safety across the country.
