The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), in collaboration with members of the Joint Business Forum, has stated that the ongoing strike by freight forwarders and clearing agents at the country’s ports is still in effect.
In a statement released on April 14, 2026, the group refuted reports suggesting that the industrial action had been called off after discussions with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Gyampo.
They stressed that no decision was taken to suspend the strike following the meeting.
According to the statement, although the leadership of the forum was invited by Professor Gyampo—acting on behalf of the Ministries of Transport and Finance—to consider pausing the strike ahead of an emergency meeting slated for Thursday, April 16, the parties did not reach any agreement to halt the action.
“The strike, which began on Monday, April 13, remains ongoing,” the statement emphasized.
It further noted that freight forwarders and clearing agents have withdrawn their services, stopped the payment of duties, and effectively brought port operations to a standstill.
The group explained that while it has agreed to hold off on any additional planned actions as a sign of good faith during ongoing discussions, this does not in any way affect the current strike, which will continue until concrete solutions are secured.
GUTA and its partners—including associations representing freight forwarders, customs brokers, and traders—pointed to persistent challenges such as inconsistent and high duty assessments, prolonged cargo clearance processes, escalating demurrage costs, and weak dispute resolution mechanisms as the main drivers of the strike.
They described these conditions as creating an increasingly difficult environment for businesses to operate.
The Joint Business Forum reaffirmed its readiness to engage government at the upcoming emergency meeting but insisted that the suspension of services at the ports will remain until tangible outcomes are achieved.
It also called on stakeholders, traders, and the general public to ignore claims that the strike has been suspended, reiterating that activities at the ports continue to be disrupted.
By 1960news.com
