GSA lauded for dedicated 40yrs of service

The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet), has commended the Ghana Shippers Authority for remaining focused, manifesting dynamism and providing increasing value and strategic leadership to the Shipping Industry in Ghana over the past forty years.

Dr Nortey Omaboe, Executive Chairman of GCNet noted that the GSA’s real presence in the 10 regions of Ghana through the activities of their Shippers’ Committee, a solid track record of Revolving key shipper problems and advocacy on shippers’ issues were some of the notable achievements of the Authority.

He observed that these achievements, by no small measure, place the Authority on firm footing for its evolution into the future, and “we are therefore, confident that in the next 40 years, the Authority will continue to be even more vibrant in pursuing its core mandate.

Dr Omaboe stated these during the official launch of the GSA 40 anniversary commemoration in Accra, on the theme: “Forty Years Of Providing Dedicated Services To Shippers In Ghana, Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities.”

The GSA was established on April 5, 1974, and was subsequently inaugurated on February 1975, with a mandate to protecting and promoting the interests of Ghanaian Shippers in relation to port, ship and inland transport problems, in order to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective maritime transport and logistics.

The GCNet Chairman noted that: “A cursory overview of the various sectors of the shipping industry today reveals unprecedented developments”.

He, however, called for the deployment of new technologies, new strategic alliances, the re-engineering of structures and the rationalization of processes and procedures, to keep up with the pace of industrial developments.

Dr Omaboe said it had been estimated that within the next 15 years, by 2030, there would be the doubling of global seaborne trade from nine billion tonnes to between 19 to 24 billion tons of cargo per year.

He pointed out that growth projection for the industry in Ghana must, therefore, be predicated upon these global trends, adding that indeed, recent growth indices largely attest to these realities.

He said Private-Public Partnership (PPP) was key to the transformation of the shipping industry, and in this respect, “it is very refreshing to note how the GSA has already been at the helm of several such PPP initiatives in the recent past”.

Dr Kofi Mbiah, GSA Chief Executive Officer said the 40th Anniversary celebration would serve as a veritable platform for recognizing and celebrating the captains of industry who braved the turbulent and choppy waters of import and export, manufacturing and trading and provision of logistics and support services.

He paid tribute to the founding fathers of GSA for their vision and foresight, which had brought the Authority this far.

He assured importers and exporters that the Authority would not relent in its efforts to provide quality service that would facilitate trade, ensure efficiency in shipping operations, drive down costs, and make the Ghanaian Shipper more competitive.

“In this regard, the Authority having engaged with the broad spectrum of shippers wishes to make a special appeal to government to give consideration to the removal of the special import levy,” he said.

Dr Mbiah said in January 2015, the GSA, would, in accordance with its mandate, begin the implementation of the Advanced Shipment Information (ASHI), meant to provide information on shipments to shippers in advance of the arrival of their cargoes, facilitate clearing of their cargoes and thus reduces the payment of huge demurrage and rent costs.

He said the GSA had taken its support and assistance to shippers at the nation’s various land boarders through the establishment of Shipping Complaints and Support Units in Aflao, Elubo, Takoradi Port, the Kotoka International Airport and to Paga.

The GSA Chief Executive explained that these complaint centres provide real time assistance to shippers in their international trade transactions.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Maersk Ghana Limited, the Association of Ghana Industries, and the Ministry of Transport joined congregation of industrial players in the shipping sector to launch the day.