Freight forwarders and clearing agents have issued a categorical denial of reports suggesting that their ongoing industrial action at Ghana’s ports has been suspended, insisting that the strike remains fully in force and operational.
In a strongly worded statement, the Joint Business Forum, led by the Ghana Union of Traders Association, described claims of a suspension as “misleading” and urged the public and stakeholders to disregard such information.
The group stressed that the strike, which commenced on Monday, April 13, 2026, has not been called off and continues to disrupt port operations, with freight forwarders and clearing agents maintaining their decision to cease payment of duties and withdraw services.
“The strike action which commenced on Monday, 13th April, 2026, remains in full force. Freight forwarders and clearing agents have ceased payment of duties and laid down their tools as earlier directed. Operations at the ports remain suspended,” the statement emphasised.
The clarification follows earlier communication from the Ghana Shippers’ Authority suggesting that the planned escalation of the action had been suspended after stakeholder engagements.
However, the Joint Business Forum drew a clear distinction between suspending future escalation and ending the current strike, stressing that while it had agreed to hold off on additional measures out of respect for an appeal by GSA Chief Executive Officer, Ransford Gyampo, the ongoing withdrawal of services remains unaffected.
“The decision to suspend further intended line-up actions does not in any way affect the current strike action by freight forwarders, which will continue as planned,” the group reiterated.
The Forum, which comprises key industry bodies including the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, the Association of Custom House Agents Ghana, the Customs Brokers Association, the Food and Beverages Association of Ghana, and the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana, said the industrial action is rooted in deep-seated concerns over the implementation of the Publican AI customs valuation system.
According to the group, persistent challenges—including unpredictable and excessively high duty assessments, prolonged cargo clearance delays, rising demurrage and rent charges, and the absence of a credible dispute resolution mechanism—have created an unsustainable operating environment for businesses.
Despite reaffirming its willingness to engage authorities, the Forum maintained that the strike will remain in effect until concrete and satisfactory resolutions are reached.
While members are expected to participate in an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026, the group made it clear that dialogue alone will not be sufficient to halt the industrial action without tangible outcomes.
“The Joint Business Forum remains open to dialogue. However, until concrete resolutions are reached, the withdrawal of services by freight forwarders and clearing agents continues,” the statement concluded.
The Forum has therefore urged all members, stakeholders, and the general public to take note that the strike remains ongoing, with no suspension or reversal in effect.
