Professor Ransford Gyampo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, has strongly criticized international shipping lines operating in Ghana for what he described as a persistent refusal to comply with regulatory requirements, despite conducting business within Ghana’s legal jurisdiction.
His comments were made during an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, May 22, where he addressed rising concerns about the inconsistent exchange rates used by shipping lines in calculating demurrage and related port charges.
Earlier in the week, the Chamber of Freight and Trade drew attention to this issue, describing the disparities as a serious burden for importers. The Chamber’s President, Dennis Amfo Sefa, pointed out that while some shipping lines rely on interbank rates from their preferred banks, others set a fixed rate that is revised monthly. He argued that the absence of a uniform system erodes transparency and inflates the cost of doing business.
In defense, the Ship Owners and Agents Association claimed that it is standard international practice for shipping lines to set their exchange rates based on the prevailing rate at the port of origin when a vessel sets sail for Ghana.
Professor Gyampo, however, firmly rejected this rationale, insisting that all entities operating in Ghana must abide by its regulatory framework.
“We are going to regulate them, and we will work according to the laws of Ghana,” he said.
He emphasized that many of these shipping lines, being foreign-owned, often prefer to operate outside the purview of Ghanaian oversight — a stance he said is unacceptable. Drawing a comparison, he noted that Ghanaians traveling abroad must comply with local laws, and the same should be expected of foreign businesses in Ghana.
Professor Gyampo made it clear that under his leadership, the Shippers Authority will not tolerate regulatory defiance. He reiterated his commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring that the country’s port operations are governed by clear, transparent, and lawful standards.
The Ghana Shippers Authority is set to intensify engagements with stakeholders in the maritime and shipping industry to push for compliance and greater transparency in port-related transactions.
