GSA Deepens Air Cargo Industry Engagement as Stakeholders Raise Concerns
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority is intensifying engagement with air cargo operators at Kotoka International Airport following fresh concerns over falling freight volumes, safety risks and operational bottlenecks threatening the sector.
The move came as GSA officials paid a working visit to key operators at Accra International Airport to gain firsthand insights into the challenges they face and to reaffirm commitment to deeper collaboration across the air cargo value chain.
The engagement, led by Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Monica Josiah, brought together Swissport Ghana, Aviance Ghana and DHL Ghana.
At Swissport Ghana, Managing Director Maarten Klijnstra raised concern over a noticeable decline in freight volumes in the first quarter of 2026, describing it as a worrying trend for the industry’s outlook.
He pointed to a behavioural shift among traders who are now travelling abroad with empty suitcases, purchasing goods directly and returning with them for resale instead of relying on traditional cargo channels.
According to him, the shift is beginning to reflect in reduced volumes handled by formal freight operators.
Safety risks also dominated discussions. Mr Klijnstra identified undeclared dangerous cargo as one of the most pressing threats facing the sector.
He explained that improperly declared shipments, especially electronic devices containing batteries, pose significant safety risks during air transport.
Even minor exposure or damage to a single battery in transit, he cautioned, could trigger incidents with serious consequences for cargo integrity, aircraft operations and personnel safety.
The delegation’s engagement continued at Aviance Ghana, where Director of Operations Michaela Walker raised concerns about alleged instances of cargo tampering by some agents.
Operators say the practice is undermining confidence and efficiency within the sector.
Aviance also drew attention to infrastructure constraints, particularly the reliance on a single scanner for import cargo processing, which continues to place significant pressure on operations and affects clearance speed.
At DHL Ghana, officials highlighted persistent challenges with impersonation and cargo theft.
They described these as threats that demand stronger coordination between regulators and industry players to safeguard the integrity of the logistics chain.
Responding to the issues, Monica assured stakeholders that the GSA, in its regulatory capacity, would review the concerns raised and confer with relevant partners to address them as speedily as possible.
She reiterated the Authority’s readiness to intensify engagement with industry actors to strengthen trade facilitation, improve operational efficiency and enhance the overall resilience of Ghana’s air cargo ecosystem.
The engagements underscored a pressing reality for the sector.
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