Exporters, Importers and Traders Reject Smart Port Note, Call for Policy Review

Coalition of exporters, importers, and traders in Ghana has rejected the Ghana Shippers’ Authority’s (GSA) proposed Smart Port Note (SPN), set to take effect on February 1, 2026, warning that the policy will impose unnecessary costs and bureaucratic hurdles on local businesses.
In a statement issued on December 29, 2025, the group said the initiative undermines the government’s trade facilitation agenda and lacks clear justification. While the GSA claims the SPN will improve compliance, cargo monitoring, and provide reliable logistics data, the coalition argues no evidence has been provided to show how the system will achieve these outcomes. The policy, they say, appears designed primarily to generate revenue for the service provider rather than benefit Ghanaian traders.
They further noted that the SPN duplicates functions already handled by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and existing platforms such as the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), offering no added tracking, risk analysis, or verification capabilities. The coalition also highlighted conflicts with the government’s national artificial intelligence strategy for customs modernisation, saying the SPN introduces a parallel system that undermines national digitalisation efforts.
They stressed that claims of “no additional costs” are misleading, as fees charged to exporters would inevitably be passed on to Ghanaian consignees. Calling for a comprehensive reassessment, the group urged the GSA, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders to engage traders in developing policies that genuinely reduce trade costs, streamline port processes, and enhance efficiency.
The coalition represents exporters, importers, and traders advocating fair trade practices, lower operational burdens, and sustainable economic growth.