The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called for the immediate enforcement of a High Court ruling directing shipping lines to comply with the Ghana Shippers Authority’s approved Container Administrative Charge of GH¢720.

In a press statement issued on July 27, 2026, GUTA expressed concern that some shipping lines and their local agents continue to charge fees significantly higher than the approved amount despite the court’s decision.

The association recalled that the High Court, on July 10, 2026, dismissed an application for an interlocutory injunction filed by the Ship Owners and Agents Association, which sought to halt the implementation of the Ghana Shippers Authority’s directive issued on May 11, 2026.

According to GUTA, its monitoring indicates that several shipping lines have failed to comply with both the court ruling and the directive of the Ghana Shippers Authority by continuing to impose the previous, higher Container Administrative Charges.

The association rejected explanations by some shipping lines that they were awaiting instructions from their foreign principals before implementing the new charges.

“The justification being offered by some shipping lines that they have not received instructions from their principals abroad to implement the directive is unacceptable. No internal administrative process or foreign directive can override the laws and judicial decisions of the Republic of Ghana,” the statement said.

GUTA is therefore demanding the immediate and full compliance by all shipping lines and their agents with the High Court’s ruling by charging the approved GH¢720 Container Administrative Charge without further delay.

It also called on the relevant regulatory and enforcement agencies to ensure strict enforcement of both the court’s decision and the Ghana Shippers Authority’s directive.

The association stressed that Ghana is a sovereign nation governed by the rule of law and insisted that no foreign company or its local representatives should be allowed to disregard the country’s laws.

According to GUTA, the continued overcharging of container administrative fees places an unnecessary financial burden on businesses, increases the cost of imports and ultimately leads to higher prices of goods and services for consumers.

The association further warned that the practice undermines the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of doing business at the country’s ports and improve Ghana’s economic competitiveness.

GUTA urged all relevant state institutions to take swift and decisive action to ensure compliance with the law and protect the interests of the Ghanaian trading community.

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