The Northern Zonal Manager of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Mr Frederick Atogiyire, has appealed to the Bank of Ghana to decentralise its operation of the Letters of Commitment (LOC) to facilitate the speedy resolution of various challenges that currently confront exporters within the northern sector of Ghana.
The appeal for decentralisation dominated discussions, as exporters, particularly those in the shea sector, outlined persistent difficulties in accessing the central bank’s services from the north.
Speaking during the 5th Northern Zone Shipper Committee meeting in Tamale, the Manager urged shippers in the northern sector to unite under strong trade associations to enhance their influence and improve engagement with key stakeholders in the shipping and export value chain.
He noted that relocating or extending LOC services to the regions would significantly ease operational bottlenecks and accelerate export processes.
Mr Atogiyire emphasised the importance of collective action, encouraging members to form formidable trade associations which would better position shippers to advocate for improved conditions and policies within their respective sectors.
“Working as associations will strengthen your bargaining power and improve how you engage with regulatory bodies and development partners,” he stated, adding that a unified front would enable stakeholders to operate more efficiently compared to fragmented individual efforts.
He used the platform to outline upcoming initiatives by the Authority’s northern office, including an Exporters’ Forum and a stakeholder engagement focused on addressing challenges facing cashew aggregators and exporters.
The Northern Zonal Manager of the Tree Crop Development Authority, Mr Alhassan Sumaila Dubie, highlighted the Authority’s regulatory role and urged exporters of cashew and shea to register with the TCDA to avoid complications at the ports.
He also addressed concerns over double taxation involving the TCDA and District Assemblies, assuring participants that efforts would be made to harmonise the system.
Mr Dubie pledged to strengthen regulation within the shea sector to prevent foreign entities from bypassing local businesses.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
