In a move that underscores the strategic importance of Ghana’s Western corridor in global trade, Professor Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), embarked on a working tour of the Western Zone, in Takoradi, on February 17, 2025.
His visit sought to assess ongoing operations, engage with staff, and advance plans to solidify Ghana’s position as a leading hub for international shipping and logistics.
Professor Gyampo, who was warmly received by Western Zonal Manager Agnes Asamoah-Duku and her team, reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the GSA’s regulatory framework to protect and promote the interests of shippers. Addressing staff at the Takoradi headquarters, he stressed the need for synergy, morale-boosting initiatives, and alignment with the organization’s overarching goal of establishing a world-class commercial shipping industry.
He was accompanied by the Director of Operations, Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu; the Head of Human Resources & Administration, Boatemaa Manu-Antwi; and the Head of Corporate Affairs, Bernice L. Natue.
“The Ghana Shippers’ Authority exists to secure a sustainable source of revenue generation for national development while ensuring a level playing field for all actors in the international trade space, particularly our exporters,” Professor Gyampo emphasized. He further highlighted the Western Zone’s critical role as a conduit for Ghana’s maritime economy, given its vast export commodities and its function as a gateway for neighbouring countries engaged in international trade.
Upgrading the Elubo Freight Park
A significant highlight of the tour was the revelation that the Jomoro Municipal Assembly has initiated a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to upgrade the Elubo Freight Park, a key transit point along the Western corridor. The park’s grounds will be re-compacted and its essential amenities such as accommodation, eateries, restaurants, and office spaces will be expanded to enhance the experience of transit truck drivers.
The information was shared by a cross-section of the members of the Assembly during a working visit by the CEO of the GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo to the Elubo border. GSA funded the construction of the Elubo Freight Park, which it donated to the Jomoro Municipal Assembly as part of its strategic investments to drive trans-national trade through Ghana’s western corridor.
The Assembly said that, it had entered into a Public-Private-Partnership deal to enhance the facilities originally provided by GSA. They reiterated their gratitude to GSA for their foresight to undertake the socially responsible project, which has not only aided the decongestion at the border to some extent but has improved the local economy of the border town.
They requested GSA to lend their support to enable them to execute the expansion project, which has been awarded on contract.
BOSEC Meeting
Professor Gyampo also visited the Border Operations and Security Committee (BOSEC), who warmly welcomed him. He emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in facilitating trade along the Abidjan-Lome corridor, Ghana’s second-busiest land frontier.
BOSEC comprises stakeholders from various agencies, including the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), and shipping services providers, among others.
During the visit, Assistant Commissioner Dan Mennia of the GRA’s Customs Division stressed the need for strong partnerships among State Agencies to promote Ghana’s international trade and thereby strengthen the national economy.
Collaboration and Nationalism
In his remarks, Prof. Gyampo emphasized the importance of collaboration in the effort to showcase Ghana as the West African sub-region’s gateway to international trade. He pledged to uphold Ghana’s best interests in all his dealings and warned against acts of sabotage or attempts to undermine national progress. The CEO also stressed the need to move beyond partisanship and rather focus on acts of nationalism and statesmanship that benefit all Ghanaians.
Equitable Playing Field
The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) raised concerns about parking for haulage trucks, and some multinational companies taking over customs brokerage services, which are statutorily preserved for Ghanaian indigenes.
Professor Gyampo in his response assured GIFF that the issue of parking is being resolved, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, should be fixed within six (6) months. In the meantime, the Jomoro Assembly together with the leadership of the State Agencies has provided an alternative parking space to accommodate the hauliers.
On the issue of preserving local businesses, Prof. Gyampo was emphatic and categorical that, no such infraction if established, shall be tolerated or treated with kid’s gloves. He stressed that it is imperative for all those who choose to do business in Ghana to do so in full compliance with the prevailing governing legislation, and strict enforcement will be ensured. He urged all stakeholders to demonstrate the required regard for the laws of Ghana to enable the sector to thrive for the mutual benefit of all.
Confinement Bay
AC. Dan Mienna of the Customs Division of GRA, highlighted the urgent need to establish a Confinement Bay (Customs Bonded Terminal) outside the Elubo township to accommodate trucks that haul highly combustible and hazardous goods while they go through customs processes at the frontier. He hinted that, works to construct such a facility are underway to address this issue, and it is the expectation of the BOSEC that it will be completed in record time.
AC Mienna also stressed the need to curb demurrage because of the quantum of foreign exchange lost to multinationals through that process. He said that, whilst the traders lose their capital, Ghana also loses foreign exchange which it needs badly to better align its Balance of Payments. He urged prompt action to deal conclusively with the issue to guarantee sustainable revenue collection. Prof. Gyampo noted that the GSA Act of 2024, Act 1122 provides the framework to address the challenge of demurrage and its related issues decisively, and he is poised to do that without let or hindrance.
Other member organizations of the BOSEC present at the engagement are the State Insurance Company, Food & Drugs Authority (FDA), Plant Quarantine Agency, GNCCI and the Veterinary Services
