Ghana hosts signing of UN Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents

Ghana is set to host the official signing of the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents in Accra on October 26, 2026. The event, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is expected to draw representatives from over 10 countries, including government officials and international trade organisations. This landmark convention aims to establish a unified legal framework for cargo documentation, facilitating a transition from traditional paper-based systems to digital formats across the international shipping industry.

Professor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, highlighted that the primary goal of the convention is to modernise international trade processes. By providing a legal basis for electronic negotiable cargo documents, the framework is designed to minimise administrative delays and reduce the inherent risks of fraud associated with physical paperwork. This shift is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of cross-border transactions and create a more secure environment for importers and exporters globally.

Beyond administrative efficiency, the convention is expected to have a profound impact on trade financing. Stella Akosua Ansah from the Ministry of Trade noted that the new framework would enhance access to credit for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In particular, the move toward digital documentation is anticipated to remove barriers for women-led businesses, allowing them to leverage their cargo documents more effectively to secure the financing needed for international trade.

Ghana is currently mobilising support from fellow ECOWAS member states to ensure a coordinated regional approach to these new standards. The convention will officially enter into force 180 days after the tenth country deposits its instrument of ratification. By hosting this signing ceremony, Ghana reaffirms its commitment to leading digital reform in the African maritime sector and harmonising global trade practices for the benefit of both local and international stakeholders.