The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), in a bid to foster informed discussions on the rapidly evolving landscape of Ghana’s shipping and logistics industry, has hosted its 8th Media Seminar.
The Media Seminar, themed “Contemporary Trends and Developments in Ghana’s Shipping and Logistics Industry.” aimed to highlight the sector’s rapid evolution and operational efficiency metrics that impact shipping.
Speaking at the seminar on Wednesday in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Ms. Benonita Bismarck, emphasized the indispensable role of the media in Ghana’s shipping sector.
She stated that the GSA recognises the media as a key stakeholder in protecting and promoting shippers’ interests.
“To aptly disseminate critical shipping information requires the media’s professional services. We appreciate your role in keeping shippers informed about the industry,” she added.
She outlined how the GSA’s departments like Shipper Services, Freight & Logistics and Research & Monitoring keep shippers updated on historic and emerging industry trends.
That, according to her, saves the Authority time, money and legal issues, as stakeholders become abreast with the rights and wrongs in the sector.
Ms Bismarck noted that the partnership between the GSA and the media would help showcase the industry’s boundless potential while drawing attention to the Authority’s role in enabling operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and cost savings for the benefit of shippers and stakeholders nationwide.
“We trust that we can count on your unwavering partnership into the future as we relentlessly pursue our primary objective to protect and promote the interest of shippers in Ghana.
She expressed confidence that the seminar would equip media practitioners to report on positive developments and the GSA’s role in facilitating the sector’s viability.
On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability and informed public discourse within the shipping and logistics sector.
He commended the Ghana Shippers’ Authority for fostering a constructive partnership with the media and pledged the GJA’s commitment to furthering dialogue on the industry’s development.
Appreciating the GSA CEO’s statements underscoring the media’s importance and value to the shipping industry, Mr Dwumfour affirmed that such gestures motivate the media to strengthen its collaboration with institutions like GSA to keep the public informed and educated on matters of national interest,”
He reiterated the readiness of journalists to disseminate insights from platforms such as the GSA Media Seminar to wider audiences across the nation.
The GJA President also highlighted the duty of media practitioners to pose probing questions to industry experts and resource persons at such interactions.
“This allows us to enrich public discourse for the benefit of all citizens,”
Facilitators from the GSA, the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) presented insights on critical subjects on freight rates in the shipping and logistics industry, the significance of certificate of origin in the implementation of AfCFTA and payment of the marine cargo insurance locally benefits to the shipper and the Ghanaian economy.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
