GSA secures detained cargo trucks from Burkina Faso

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) with support from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has secured the release of six Ghanaian cargo trucks detained at the Dakola border in Burkina Faso.

In April 2024, the Burkinabe Customs (Douanes) detained the trucks on suspicion of transporting prohibited goods from Ghana into Burkina Faso.

In June 2024, the GSA intervened in the detention of twenty trucks carrying prohibited cargo, flagged by Burkinabe authorities, after a Joint Association of Port Transport Unions-Ghana’s (JAPTU-Ghana) efforts to resolve the issue proved unsuccessful.

As part of efforts to resolve the issue, the GSA and the Ministry of Transport held a series of stakeholder meetings at the Dakola border and Tema port, while collaborating with its Burkinabe counterpart, the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC), to secure the release of the detained trucks.

On 20^th August 2024, the GSA held a meeting with the Director-General of the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC) Dr. Kassoum Traore to secure the release of the detained trucks.

Dr Traore explained that under Burkinabe law, unwholesome cargo can result in the confiscation of both the cargo and trucks.

He assured the team that progress was being made and that an out-of-court settlement had been reached with the shipper, paving the way for the trucks' prompt release.

The Northern Zonal Manager of the GSA, Mr Frederick Atogiyire, expressed appreciation for the Burkinabe Authorities’ efforts in facilitating the release of the trucks.

The Burkinabe Customs processed the trucks for departure, enabling them to resume their journey to Ouagadougou on 25th August 2024, and subsequently return to Ghana on August 29, 2024.