A total of 184 graduates of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) have been awarded diplomas and certificates after successfully completing their various areas of study at the seventh graduation ceremony of the institute, held over the weekend in Tema.
About 106 students received diplomas while the remaining 78 received certificates after years of training in general freight forwarding principles, applicable in all modes of carriage including maritime transport, Customs procedure as well as logistics and warehousing etc.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, president of the institute Kwabena Ofosu-Appiah tasked graduates to apply the knowledge they have acquired to help cause the needed change and professionalism in the industry.
He indicated: “Society and industry will be looking up to you with lots of expectations to generate new ideas that will help deal with contemporary challenges of the profession using modern approaches.
“We are looking for transformative leaders among you; leaders who will shape the country’s development trajectory through continuous innovation and serve as role-models for the future generation.”
According to Mr. Ofosu-Appiah, the GIFF Academy continues to maintain its leadership position in the delivery of quality and high performance capacity building and professional training, a feat that has sustained its position as the FIATA centre of excellence within the African sub-region.
He said the institute is repositioning itself to better handle the rapidly changing dynamics of the freight logistics sub-sector, citing the surge in globalisation with its attendant ICT infusion of “app-start” interventions.
“As an institute, we shall continue to look out for strategic partners and build networks that enable us to diversify our capacities in order to secure our future,” he said.
Mr. Ofosu-Appiah commended leadership at the institute’s Education Department, whose efforts have resulted in partnerships with the University of Cape Coast as well as the ‘online platform master’, Strabsnet, toward building a diversified portfolio that equips its members to respond to changing needs of the Customs brokerage industry.
He noted: “As the current leadership, we shall continue to support and build on the strong foundation of excellence that has been laid by our predecessors”.
