Terminal operators appeal for calm

Accra, Sept. 20, GNA - The Terminal Operators and Stevedores Association of Ghana (TOSAG) has appealed to all stakeholders in the industry to remain calm and use constructive dialogue to address grievances.

"As an industry in transition, there is bound to be differences but we should use our collective goodwill to resolve our problems without name calling," Nana Ofeibea Nkansah, President the Association, said in a press release on Tuesday.

The Association said it had noted the recent publications in the press by a private stevedores association under the umbrella of GASCO pointing out that it found it heart-warming that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) by a letter dated September 8, 2005 asked the Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways to get the Parliamentary Select Committee on Transport to probe the allegations made by GASCO. The release said TOSAG was ready to appear before the Parliamentary Select Committee to state its case, and appealed to the Minister to call for a stakeholders' forum.

The statement said the intention of the Government to make Ghanaian ports truly international overrode any sectional interests and expressed the hope that all industry players would wait for the Minister to use his good offices to resolve matters.