High Court Upholds GSA Refund Order
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has disclosed on Tuesday that the High Court in Accra has affirmed its authority to enforce regulatory directives and ordered MSG Freight and Cargo Services to refund excess charges paid by a shipper.
The ruling, delivered on July 8, 2026, in the case Ghana Shippers’ Authority v Maxwell Edzeame (Proprietor of MSG Freight & Cargo Services), Suit No. GJ/0593/2026, directed the shipping service provider to comply with GSA’s refund order under Section 47 of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122).
The case arose after MSG Freight and Cargo Services failed to apply the applicable commercial exchange rate of its commercial bankers in calculating storage charges, resulting in the shipper paying more than was required.
Following investigations, the GSA directed the company, which operates as a consolidator, to refund the excess amount to the affected shipper. However, the company failed to comply with the directive, prompting the Authority to seek enforcement through the courts.
It noted that the Court’s decision reinforces the GSA’s mandate under Act 1122 to regulate the commercial shipping sector and protect the interests of shippers and other stakeholders within the shipping and logistics industry.
The Authority said the judgment indicated the obligation of service providers to comply with lawful regulatory directives issued by the GSA.
The GSA has therefore reminded service providers in the shipping and logistics sector to adhere to all applicable regulatory directives governing charges and commercial transactions with shippers.
It cautioned that where service providers are found to have imposed charges contrary to statutory directives, the Authority will take appropriate regulatory action in accordance with the law.
“As the regulator of the commercial shipping sector, GSA remains committed to promoting transparency, predictability, fairness and consistency in shipping and logistics transactions; and shall, under the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), continue to enforce compliance with the regulatory framework to protect the legitimate interests of all players in the sector,” the statement concluded.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
