By David Acquah – The Minister for Transport Hon. Fifi Kwetey on a working visit to Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), has pledged his ministry’s support to ensure that GSA and other relevant sector players remain competitive by supporting regulations that will help boost their day to day business.
Mr. Kwetey indicated that the Ministry Of Transport will not stomach activities that asphyxiate the holistic growth of the maritime sector. He said activities that are counter-productive will not be encouraged. He opined that this will be done in order to ensure that the various actors can generate a long term stream of revenue to propel national growth.
The minister did not fail to recognize the amazing works of GSA in the shipping industry and commended them for being a very productive government agency over the years.
“GSA is at the heart of trade in the country as shippers are the core actors in the sea trade sector. As a ministry, we will continue to support as regards the ratification of certain regulations that will help to boost the sector… This is one way of ensuring that shippers go about their business in a more efficient, conducive and cost-effective manner” he articulated.
As part of a visit to familiarize himself with operations of GSA, the minster indicated that his ministry will do everything palpable to incentivise the sub-sector operators with a favourable environment so they can operate effectively.
He called on all sector players to come on board the transformational train which has seen the maritime sector become more dynamic all over the world. Undoubtedly the maritime sector contributes heavily to the economic prospects of many world powers and this has happened through sustained collaboration
“The maritime sector is becoming more dynamic and that proposes the need for sustained collaboration between the various actors to become more competitive for the economy to tap the requisite gains from the sector” he expressed
According to the minister, generating revenue alone is not good enough for the growth of every business but making the business competitive on the market gives it a long lease of life on the market. According to him, competitiveness makes the prospects of every business viable.
“As a nation, we tend to focus on how much revenue we generate from a business rather than making those businesses more competitive. But ideally, competitiveness is what ensures that the prospects of the business remains bright” he said
This is one way of ensuring that shippers go about their business more efficient, conducive and in a cost-effective manner.
Over the years GSA have made inroads in the maritime sector worth talking about. Led by an able leader and visionary-Mr. Kofi Mbiah, GSA is poised for massive projects in the near future to help make Ghana a maritime hub.
For over 35 years, GSA which was established in 1974, operated under the corporate name Ghana Shippers Council which by virtue of the laws of Ghana Act 562 1998 was changed to Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA)
The authority over the years have collaborated with private and public organizations in the maritime industry to pursue its primary objective of 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 cargo handling.
GSA, can now boast of its own office complex known as Ghana Shippers House, located in the heart of the capital of Ghana-Accra, on the 8th floor, Ambassadorial Enclave, Ridge.
