The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), with support from the Ministry of Transport, has successfully secured the release of six Ghanaian cargo trucks detained at the Dakola border in Burkina Faso.
The trucks were initially detained by Burkinabe Customs in April 2024 on suspicion of transporting prohibited goods.
Following unsuccessful attempts by the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions-Ghana (JAPTU-Ghana) to resolve the issue, the GSA intervened in June to address the detention of twenty trucks carrying unwholesome cargo.
To resolve the matter, the GSA and the Ministry of Transport held a series of stakeholder meetings at the Dakola border and Tema port, collaborating with their Burkinabe counterpart, the Conseil Burkinabe Des Chargeurs (CBC).
On August 20, 2024, Frederick Atogiyire, Northern Zonal Manager of the GSA, led a team to meet with Dr. Kassoum Traore, Director General of the CBC.
Dr. Traore explained that under Burkinabe law, unwholesome cargo can result in the confiscation of both the cargo and trucks.
He assured the team that progress was being made and that an out-of-court settlement had been reached with the shipper, paving the way for the trucks’ release.
On August 25, 2024, the Burkinabe Customs efficiently processed the trucks for departure, allowing them to resume their journey to Ouagadougou and subsequently return to Ghana on August 29, 2024.
Mr. Atogiyire expressed gratitude to the Burkinabe Authorities for their efforts in facilitating the trucks’ release.
