The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) is aligning its regulatory and infrastructure reforms with the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda to boost trade and logistics efficiency.
Speaking at the 32nd management workshop organised by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority at Peduase, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GSA, Professor Ransford Gyampo, explained that the authority’s focus on trade facilitation, port efficiency and export promotion was intended to position Ghana as a competitive regional logistics hub.
He said that ongoing reforms in port operations, digitalisation and infrastructure development were designed to support round-the-clock economic activity and expand intra-African trade.
“We deliberately aligned our interventions with the 24-Hour Economy and AfCFTA to reduce the cost of doing business and strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness in regional trade,” Prof. Gyampo said.
Strengthening trade facilitation
Prof. Gyampo said the authority had intensified efforts to streamline port operations to reduce delays, inefficiencies and excessive charges that continued to burden shippers despite broader macroeconomic reforms.
He explained that regulatory interventions were being deepened to ensure transparency in pricing by shipping lines and service providers, while strengthening compliance with approved tariffs.
He said the GSA’s engagement with port operators, shipping lines and terminal operators was already yielding results in improved turnaround times and better coordination among stakeholders.
He stressed that efficient ports were central to the success of the 24-Hour Economy, as round-the-clock operations depended on predictable costs, faster cargo clearance and reliable logistics systems.
“If our ports are not efficient and competitive, the vision of a 24-hour economy will remain a slogan, which is why we are tackling both operational and cost-related bottlenecks head-on,” he said.
Infrastructure development
The GSA CEO said investments in logistics infrastructure and digital platforms formed another pillar of the authority’s strategy to support continuous economic activity and regional trade.
He pointed to flagship projects such as the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT) and the Akatekyiwa Freight Park, describing them as critical nodes that would decongest the ports and improve cargo movement across the country.
Prof. Gyampo explained that these facilities were expected to serve as inland logistics hubs, linking the ports to production and consumption centres while supporting transit trade within the sub-region.
He added that the authority was also prioritising digital transformation to enhance efficiency and accountability in the shipping and logistics value chain.
He said the operationalisation of digital platforms, system integration and data-driven decision-making would reduce human interface, curb rent-seeking, and improve service delivery.
“Digitalisation is no longer optional; it is the backbone of modern trade facilitation and a key driver of efficiency in a 24-hour economy,” he stated.
Regional integration
Prof. Gyampo said the GSA had also strengthened regional and international partnerships to ensure Ghana fully benefited from the AfCFTA and emerging trade opportunities.
He said that collaboration with organisations such as the Union of African Shippers Councils, ECOWAS and other global trade bodies was helping to harmonise standards and protect the interests of Ghanaian shippers within the continental market.
The CEO said the authority’s expanded presence at land borders and the airport would further support trade facilitation while ensuring the effective implementation of approved service charges.
He explained that these measures, alongside the protection and commercialisation of GSA assets, were part of a broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and ensure institutional sustainability.
“Our goal is to build a financially resilient authority that can effectively regulate, facilitate trade and support national development priorities without compromising on accountability,” Prof. Gyampo said.
He expressed confidence that, with sustained stakeholder engagement and policy alignment, the GSA’s interventions would significantly lower the cost of doing business and enhance Ghana’s position as a preferred trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
