President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), David Amoateng, has criticised the increase in administrative charges at Ghana’s ports, saying traders can no longer accept what he described as excessive and unjustifiable charges.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Amoateng said the increase in port charges was adding to the cost of doing business and would ultimately be passed on to consumers.

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“We are therefore here today to send a clear and unequivocal message to the government, the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Shippers Authority, shipping lines, and all institutions responsible for port regulation,” he said.

Amoateng said traders would no longer accept excessive and unjustifiable charges imposed on businesses and ultimately transferred to consumers.

“We will no longer accept excessive and unjustifiable charges being imposed on Ghanaian businesses and passed on to the ordinary consumer,” he stated.

He acknowledged the government’s efforts to stabilise the cedi and the foreign exchange market but said this alone was not enough to reduce the overall cost of doing business.

“Let me acknowledge this current government in a way, in a way of stabilizing dollar or the forex. But that is not all. A lot happens when it comes to the complete cost of doing business,” Amoateng said.

He questioned why the administrative charge agreed upon after engagements between the Ghana Shippers Authority and stakeholders had subsequently been increased from GH¢550 to GH¢720.

“Ghana Shippers Authority engaged stakeholders over administrative charges imposed by shipping lines. Following those engagements, we understand that GH¢550 was the amount agreed upon. Yet, to our surprise, that figure was subsequently increased to GH¢720,” he said.

According to Amoateng, the increase was effected without adequate consultation with stakeholders and would place an additional financial burden on Ghanaian businesses and consumers.

“And who is going to pay? You, Ghanaians, are going to pay the cost,” he added.

ANAS/MA

TAGG vows to resist excessive charges imposed on Ghanaian businesses