In a significant step toward strengthening trade facilitation, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has partnered with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to develop a specialized digital portal aimed at dismantling non-tariff bottlenecks affecting cross-border commerce.
The initiative, dubbed the NTB Reporting and Resolution Platform, is designed to provide a swift and transparent mechanism for handling complaints related to Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). The platform will serve as a structured channel for shippers—particularly cross-border traders—to lodge complaints, track progress, and ensure timely resolution through designated state agencies stationed at Ghana’s entry and exit points.
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GSA secured full funding for the project as part of its broader strategy to explore alternative revenue sources to finance its expanded trade facilitation mandate. The Authority’s enhanced operational scope stems from its expanded responsibilities under Act 1122 (2024), which now serves as its governing framework.
The partnership underscores a coordinated commitment by both institutions to streamline trade processes, identify and remove systemic hurdles, and boost Ghana’s competitiveness within regional and continental markets.
Speaking at the meeting to kick-start the platform’s development, the Chief Executive Officer of GSA, Ransford Gyampo, emphasized the strategic value of the project.
“The proposed platform will not only improve complaint intake and resolution, but will also provide reliable data to support evidence-based advocacy, policy engagement and collaboration with national, regional and continental stakeholders; particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo further noted that Non-Tariff Barriers have historically posed a significant challenge to trade facilitation efforts.
“Over the years, NTBs have been a major obstacle to effective trade facilitation, as they continue to impose high costs on shippers, disrupt supply chains and undermine the competitiveness of the economy,” he said.
He added that the upgraded platform introduces several transformative features, including the ability for traders to report issues in local languages, offline functionality to ensure inclusivity in low-connectivity areas, a strengthened back-office system to enable timely institutional response, and advanced tools to track resolution timelines and generate performance reports.
For its part, TradeMark Africa reiterated its commitment to enhancing trade facilitation not only in Ghana but across the wider West African region, signaling sustained collaboration toward improving cross-border efficiency and reducing trade friction.
The NTB Reporting and Resolution Platform is expected to go live by the end of 2026, marking a new chapter in Ghana’s digital trade reform agenda.
