The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) has expressed satisfaction with the newly negotiated rates of charges for Freight Forwarders and Clearing Agents, following successful negotiations with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA).
Speaking on the Port and Maritime television programme ‘Eye On Port’ on Sunday 8th January 2023, the 1st Vice President of GIFF, Mr. Paul Kobina Mensah, commended the GSA for ensuring a successful negotiation despite the challenges that delayed the process.
According to him, the process was delayed by the emergence of major changes in the industry; such as the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) which required the attention and cooperation of GIFF, GSA and other stakeholders for its successful implementation. He said COVID-19 which affected global trade also impacted the negotiations and further delayed the process.
“We are satisfied with the rates because it is the legal mandate of the GSA to negotiate the rates and we need to give them the necessary support. That is when other stakeholders will also give them their support, which will then improve investor confidence in the sector,” he noted.
He noted that GIFF’s primary aim is to ensure that shippers are financially comfortable, as this will translate into more business for its members.
The Head of Freight and Logistics Department-GSA, Mr. Fred Asiedu Dartey – who was also on the show, said that foreign exchange rates at the time negotiation played a major role in determining the rates of charges for the freight forwarders. He said the parties involved in the negotiation went through a painstaking process to arrive at rates which would be acceptable to all interested parties. He said: “We needed to be meticulous to ensure value for the Ghanaian consumer”.
On Tuesday 29th November 2022, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GSA, Ms. Benonita Bismarck signed, the Agreement on the newly negotiated charges for Freight Forwarders on behalf of the GSA, and 1st Vice President of GIFF, Mr. Paul Kobina Mensah, initialled on behalf of his association. This is in accordance with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority Regulation, 2012, (L.1.2190) which mandates the GSA to negotiate charges of Shipping Service Providers on behalf of shippers.
