IEAG petitions Mahama to remove SOAAG representatives from GMA, GPHA boards

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has asked President John Mahama to withdraw representatives of the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG) from the governing boards of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The association said the request was driven by concerns over alleged non-compliance with government directives, accountability in the maritime industry and the continued financial burden imposed on importers through the Container Administrative Charge.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, September 14, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingboit criticised the continued payment of approximately US$165 per container, despite a regulatory directive and a High Court ruling setting a ceiling of GH¢720 per TEU for import and export containers.

“IEAG finds it unacceptable that importers continue to bear a charge of approximately US$165 per container under the Container Administrative Charge when a regulatory directive and a High Court ruling have established a GHC720 per TEU ceiling for both import and export containers.”

Mr Awingboit said the alleged refusal by some shipping industry players to comply with regulatory decisions weakened state authority and increased the cost of doing business for traders.

To support its position, the association referred to the 2016 disagreement over Terminal Handling Charges, claiming that shipping lines maintained the charges despite a directive from the Ministry of Transport.

According to IEAG, the matter was eventually resolved after the intervention of then GPHA Director-General Richard Anamoo and President Mahama, leading to compliance by the shipping lines.

Mr Awingboit said the re-emergence of similar disputes warranted a fresh examination of the relationship between industry representatives, state regulators and other maritime stakeholders.

“It is therefore legitimate for the President to ask whether organisations that are beneficiaries of representation on state boards are demonstrating the level of institutional responsibility, regulatory compliance and respect for public authority expected of board members and industry representatives.”

The association is therefore demanding a review of SOAAG’s representation on the GMA and GPHA boards, arguing that the move would promote accountability, good governance and fair stakeholder participation.

The petition comes amid IEAG’s call for immediate measures to ease congestion at Ghana’s ports, with the association warning that prolonged delays and increasing operational expenses could weaken the country’s competitiveness in international trade.