The Executive Secretary of the Exim Frozen Foods Association of Ghana (EFFAG), Michael Obiri-Adjei, has called on authorities to sanction shipping lines that continue to charge importers above the approved container administrative fee cap set by the Ghana Shippers Authority.

According to him, the refusal by some shipping companies to comply with the GH¢720 cap despite a court decision allowing the directive to remain in force is increasing the cost of doing business and ultimately affecting consumers.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show, Obiri-Adjei said the dispute over container administrative charges dates back to a period when shipping lines provided logistics support at Ghana’s ports due to limited infrastructure.

He explained that the justification for the charges had diminished as Ghana’s ports developed and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) acquired modern equipment and expanded facilities.

“The administrative charge that we used to pay back in the day in the 90s, just about some $10 to the shipping lines, the requirements to pay that money has not been there. So that money is not justifiable,” he said.

Obiri-Adjei said the passage of the Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122) strengthened the authority’s regulatory powers by allowing it to approve shipping-related fees rather than merely negotiate them.

He said following consultations with shipping lines, the GPHA issued a directive allowing a maximum charge of GH¢720 per 20-foot container while discussions continued on the broader issue.

However, he accused some shipping companies of refusing to comply and maintaining higher charges.

“The courts did not grant the injunction. The court’s judgment says that the Shippers Authority’s administrative directive is still in force. So you ought to take 720 from the shipper when they come,” he said.

The EFFAG executive secretary said the continued enforcement of higher charges by shipping lines amounted to disregard for Ghana’s regulatory institutions and judicial process.

He compared the situation to a Ghanaian business operating abroad refusing to obey a foreign court ruling until receiving instructions from authorities in Ghana.

“That is a disrespect to our systems, and I think that should not fly anywhere,” he said.

Obiri-Adjei said some shipping lines had begun complying with the GH¢720 directive but insisted that companies that charged above the approved amount should refund affected importers.

He disclosed that businesses had accumulated significant additional costs as a result of the disputed charges.

“If somebody has done even 20 containers, 10 containers within that period, that is about GH¢10,000 or GH¢19,000 more to his cost of doing business,” he said.

He warned that higher port charges were eventually passed on to consumers through increased prices of goods, including frozen foods.

“No business owner is Father Christmas. If we are going to absorb those charges, it would go down to the Ghanaian consumer,” he added.

The association is also demanding sanctions against shipping lines that failed to comply, citing provisions of the Ghana Shippers Authority Act that allow punitive measures for violations.

Obiri-Adjei called for penalties, including possible refunds with interest, and urged the authority to pursue enforcement action through the courts.

He also warned that importers could consider refusing to pay disputed charges and resist paying demurrage costs incurred because of delays caused by the disagreement.

“We would refuse to pay any demurrages that are incurred because of you. It would also be our right to insist that because you forced us to do that, it is because of you that we didn’t pay,” he said.

The EFFAG executive secretary appealed to the Ministry of Transport and government to publicly support enforcement measures by the Ghana Shippers Authority, arguing that Ghana’s ambition to become business-friendly must include respect for local laws.

He said stronger action was needed to protect businesses and restore confidence in Ghana’s trade environment.