The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), together with other members of the Joint Business Forum, has clarified that the ongoing strike by freight forwarders and clearing agents at Ghana’s ports remains in full effect.
In a press statement issued on April 14, 2026, the group dismissed reports suggesting that the industrial action had been suspended following a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Gyampo.
According to the statement, although the forum’s leadership was invited by Professor Gyampo on behalf of the Ministries of Transport and Finance to consider suspending the strike ahead of an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, no agreement was reached to halt the action.
The statement emphasized that the strike, which began on Monday, April 13, remains active, with freight forwarders and clearing agents withdrawing services, halting duty payments, and effectively disrupting port operations.
While the forum agreed to temporarily suspend any additional planned actions out of respect for ongoing engagements, it clarified that this does not affect the current strike, which will continue until concrete resolutions are reached.
GUTA and its partners, including associations of freight forwarders, customs brokers, and traders, cited long-standing concerns such as excessive and unpredictable duty assessments, delays in cargo clearance, high demurrage charges, and weak dispute resolution mechanisms as key reasons for the action.
They described the situation as creating an “unsustainable business environment” for operators in the sector.
The Joint Business Forum reaffirmed its readiness to engage government at the upcoming emergency meeting but maintained that the withdrawal of services will continue until meaningful outcomes are achieved.
The group also urged stakeholders, traders, and the public to disregard reports claiming the strike has been called off, stressing that port activities remain severely disrupted.
