Heavy-duty equipment operators demand urgent port reforms

By Ernest Bako WUBONTO

The National Association of Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators, Ghana (NAHEOG) has expressed concern about unfavourable port conditions and formally petitioned the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) to overhaul port operations.

The association, in a high-level meeting with GSA in Accra, demanded immediate regulatory intervention to resolve systemic bottlenecks that drive up costs and cause significant delays for importers across the country.

Led by its president, Dominic Kofi Eyiah, the association’s petition centres on several critical safety and operational failures including hazardous conditions at the Golden Jubilee Terminal in Tema – labeling the site a danger to clearing agents and port users.

It highlighted the constant risk of accidents involving heavy machinery and reported a disturbing trend of pilfering, alleging that batteries, headlights, side-mirrors and spare tyres frequently vanish from imported equipment while under port supervision.

To improve market competitiveness, NAHEOG proposed extending the current seven-day free clearance period to 10 days.

It also suggested that GSA implement incentive-based rebates such as discounts for importers who clear their goods within three to five days, to actively reduce port congestion.

Furthermore, the operators challenged the current auctioning process for uncleared goods, arguing that Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should grant original importers the right of first refusal before auctioning items after the 60-day statutory period.

This is to ensure integrity, with members calling for an independent audit mechanism to oversee all Customs auctions.

The petition also turned a spotlight on port personnel conduct. NAHEOG questioned the professionalism of certain Customs House Agents and National Security Operatives, alleging that misconduct, extortion and lack of accountability continue to hamper legitimate business.

In response, Head of Shipper Services & Trade Facilitation at GSA, Monica Josiah, affirmed that the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) now provides the mandate to regulate these commercial activities strictly.

She revealed that GSA has already submitted a draft Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to the Ministry of Transport. Once operational, this L.I. will empower GSA to register shipping service providers and enforce service standards necessary to eliminate the unprofessional behaviour cited by operators.

Regarding the lack of transparency in disposal of goods, Mrs. Josiah confirmed that a multi-stakeholder committee has already reviewed the process.

The committee’s recommendations for improving transparency currently await implementation. While she acknowledged the request for more free days, she advised NAHEOG members to negotiate for additional free time at the point of origin before shipment to avoid demurrage costs.

Mrs. Josiah concluded the session by urging shippers to document every incident with clear evidence and lodge formal complaints immediately.

She reaffirmed GSA’s commitment to building a transparent and efficient shipping sector. To expedite these efforts, GSA and NAHEOG established a dedicated virtual platform to fast-track complaint resolution and ensure the rights of operators under Act 1122 remain protected.

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