The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Mr Baffour Okyere Sarpong has emphasized the need for deliberate measures to guide trade on the African continent.
He stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the Cameroon Shippers Council (CNSC), in Accra to explore opportunities for collaboration between the two organizations.
He underscored the importance of African states consenting to continental standards to support trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and facilitate intra-African trade among shippers.
He highlighted the potential of the AfCFTA to provide a platform for African countries to leapfrog their socio-economic fortunes but stressed the need for concerted efforts to establish harmonized trade guidelines and standards.
“The success of the AfCFTA hinges on our ability to create a conducive environment for seamless trade across borders, “By adopting continental standards, we can streamline processes, reduce barriers, and foster a more integrated and efficient trading landscape for shippers operating within the continent,” he added.
The delegation from the CNSC, led by Faliki Aicha, Assistant Director of Trade Facilitation, expressed keen interest in collaborating with the GSA to address common challenges shippers face in both countries and the sub-region.
Mr Sarpong emphasized that by aligning with continental standards, African nations can unlock the full potential of the AfCFTA, facilitating the free movement of goods and services, and promoting intra-African trade.
He called upon stakeholders in the shipping and logistics sectors to support this endeavour, as it holds the key to unlocking discussions encompassed concerns regarding charges by shipping service providers, data sharing, and the overall cost of doing business.
The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of the GSA and CNSC to collaborate in protecting and promoting the interests of shippers, not only within their respective countries but also across the sub-region.
Regular data sharing and participation in trade exhibitions were among the potential areas of cooperation discussed.
The delegation from Cameroon Shippers Council led by Faliki Aicha, also included Export Promotion Officer, Lewono Mbassi Marguenle, and Client Service and Standardisation Officer, Garba Houdou.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
