Ghana excels in maritime transport business

Ghana's maritime industry recorded a high time transaction growth of 13.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2006, at the Tema and Takoradi ports, contributing significantly to the year's Gross Domestic Product growth of 6.2 per cent.

This is as a result of the active operation of the well laid structures at both ports through the inland water transport project initiated by Government recently.

This achievement was announced at a 2-day Maritime Law and International Trade Conference which began in Accra on Monday.

Addressing participants, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Council, Kofi Mbiah noted that in 2006, the Council tracked its medium term strategic plan for the years 2004-2008 in pursuance of its desire to achieve its objective of protecting and promoting the interest of all exporters and importers.

It is expected that when fully implemented, a corresponding increase in sea borne trade would be registered.

Kofi Mbiah said, the council has been able to provide Maritime transport logistics such as warehousing, conference facilities, as well as a shippers’ information centre to facilitate the tracking of ship movements.

Also, shipper committees, made up of importers and exporters, have been established in all ten regions to provide a platform for the discussion of issues affecting the business.

He noted that advancements in technology has leveled the economic barriers between countries and continents, and knowledge has been embraced to search the best returns of trillions of dollars.

He said, "This money is moving across borders and can be attained with only a few keystrokes of the provided technology, and such opportunity is offered at a forum of this kind to bring the world to one’s doorstep".

Kofi Mbiah submitted the result of the ongoing success of the medium term plan clearly shows that Maritime transport play a very important role in the achievements of the millennium development goals, and said "Without doubt, shipping can help eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and accelerate the building of global partnerships for development."

Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways commended the organisers for making an effort to initiate the event which had gone a long way to place Ghana’s maritime industry on the international scene.

The conference, he said served as a podium for an international clearing house to share ideas, with the potential of boosting the practice of maritime law and international trade in the country.

The Statesman : Business : Ghana excels in maritime transport business