The Ghana Shippers’ Authority has organised a seminar on Ghana’s Transit Corridor for senior officers of the Ghana Police Service in the Western Region at Takoradi.
The workshop sensitised officers on how they can contribute to make Ghana’s Transit Corridor the preferred one, thereby facilitating the growth of transit trade in the interest of national development objectives.
Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, in an address read for her noted that transit trade has over the years become a significant component of Ghana’s seaborne trade, and has delivered tangible benefits to the economy of Ghana.
She said contrary to the widely-held perception that Ghana does not derive any benefit from transit trade through its corridors, the outcome of a Shippers’ Authourity study in 2015 showed that tangible financial benefits accrued to operators along the transit logistics chain.
“For instance, the study showed an estimated total revenue of GH¢136million accrued to the Ghanaian economy from some of the quantifiable services provided by various operators involved in the delivery of transit services,” she said.
According to her, these were payments for services in relation to handling transit cargo from both Tema and Takoradi Ports, State Insurance Company (SIC) – the national guarantor for the bond value, fees to the Ghanaian haulage truckers, operators of the electronic tracking device and for freight forwarders services.
She mentioned that there are a number of other entities which benefit directly from the transit trade, including fuel stations, hotels and restaurant operators, among others. All these help to boost the economy and enhance the livelihood of Ghanaians.
“It is in the light of these, and more importantly the impact on the general economy, that the Ghana Shippers’ Authourity is championing the facilitation of transit trade through Ghana’s corridors,” she added.
DCOP Victor Adusah-Poku, Western Regional Police Commander, urged participants to let the knowledge acquired promote professionalism.
“After this training, we want to see police officers who interact well with transit truck drivers and avoid the unnecessary delays and harassment which negatively affect the transit trade in Ghana,” he said.
He said the police administration is particular about police professionalism and accountability, and charged the police to be worthy ambassadors of the service – urging them to avoid acts which undermine the Police Service’s image
“To you, regulators of the transit trade in Ghana and your partners, I appeal for you to continue sensitising transit truck drivers to comply with road traffic regulations and cooperate with our law enforcement officers to facilitate transit trade in our corridors,” he added.
Supt. Dr. Sasu Mensah, Director of Operations-MTTU, advised the police to provide security for all; especially during this Christmas.
“Abide by the law, do not breach the human rights of the people you are serving,” he said.
