President John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong directive to clamp down on unapproved fees imposed by shipping lines operating within Ghana’s jurisdiction.
Addressing concerns raised by freight forwarders during a stakeholder engagement on Friday, July 11, President Mahama tasked the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, and the Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, to immediately investigate and review all administrative charges being levied without parliamentary approval.
He emphasised that such fees are not only unjustified but also illegal under Ghanaian law.
“We have charged the Minister of Transport to go into it and sit with the shipping lines and look into those administrative charges,” President Mahama stated. “The law says fees and levies shall be ratified by Parliament, and so nobody can come and charge any fees within the jurisdiction of Ghana. We consulted the Attorney General, and you cannot charge any fee or levy within the territories of Ghana without parliamentary approval.”
The President’s directive follows growing complaints by freight forwarders who argue that unregulated charges are increasing the cost of doing business at Ghana’s ports and undermining efforts to enhance revenue mobilisation.
The Ministry of Transport is expected to engage with the affected shipping lines and submit a comprehensive report to Parliament for proper regulatory action.
