Ghana Freight Forwarders protest 'excessive' port charges

Accra, Ghana - Ghana's freight forwarding community is up in arms over what they deem excessive and exploitative charges at the country's ports.

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, customs agents, and other stakeholders took to the streets of Tema in the Greater Accra Region to express their frustration.

They argue that these charges are crippling business operations and pushing importers to seek alternatives.

The protesters marched to various shipping lines to deliver their petition, also submitting copies to the Ministries of Transport and Trade and Industry.

Speaking to Channel One News, freight forwarders voiced strong dissatisfaction with current port operations, citing high fees as the primary concern .

“We are protesting because the shipping lines are cheating us; they are killing our work. Most of our importers are now using the Togo port because of the charges we are facing here,” one freight forwarder said.

Bismark Ocansey, a concerned freight forwarder, revealed how a malfunctioning APS scanner led to costly delays, slapping him with a GH¢10,000 demurrage fee for circumstances beyond his control.

“It is high time we let the shipping lines know they are cheating us,” Ocansey stated, adding that he had to go to great lengths to explain the situation to his importer, who was frustrated by the additional costs.

Source :Lead News Online