Administrative fees at ports shouldn't be priced in dollars - Institute of Freight Forwarders

Stephen Adjokatcher is the President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF). He has called for an end to charging administrative fees in U.S. dollars at Ghana’s ports.

On JoyNews’ The Probe, he argued that these charges should be in Ghana cedis. This change would reflect local economic conditions and promote transparency.

“Shipping lines should not charge administrative fees in dollars,” he stated. When containers arrive, some work is needed before release. While administrative charges are necessary, they should be in cedis.

Mr. Adjokatcher gave an example: if a 20-foot container costs GH₵5,000, this rate should stay consistent throughout the year. This consistency ensures predictability and fairness in port operations.

He compared Ghana’s charges with those of neighboring countries like Togo. He noted that freight-related charges there are generally lower, making Ghana's ports less competitive.

“Even our neighbors in Togo have cheaper port charges than we do,” he said. Charging in foreign currency raises costs for importers and undermines the appreciation of the Ghana cedi.

His comments come as importers and freight forwarders express concerns. Despite the strengthening cedi, port fees remain tied to older exchange rates. These burdens ultimately affect consumers negatively.