The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), the Association of Customs House Agents of Ghana, the Freight Forwarders Association of Ghana, and the Customs Brokers Association of Ghana, in collaboration with several trade associations and manufacturers - including the Ghana Union of Traders Association, EXIM Frozen Foods Association of Ghana, and the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana - are organizing a major protest on September 24, 2024, to address what they describe as exploitative practices by shipping lines operating in the country.
The protest will see participants marching through the streets of Tema, with petitions submitted to the Ministries of Transport, Trade, Finance, and other key institutions, calling for immediate regulatory action.
GIFF has raised serious concerns over the imposition of various arbitrary fees by shipping lines, including local administrative charges, container cleaning fees, and demurrage fees, often charged during weekends and public holidays when operations are suspended.
These fees, pegged against the US dollar, are said to violate Bank of Ghana regulations and place undue financial pressure on businesses.