Ghana Shippers’ Authority has held the 4th sensitization seminar for haulage truck drivers in Takoradi, Western Region.
The seminar is part of efforts to ensure that the truck drivers in the haulage industry meet the demands of international trade best practices.
Topics discussed include: understanding the dangerous goods placards for the safe haulage of dangerous goods along Ghana’s corridor; avoiding driver fatigue as a defensive driving strategy, management of transit incidences along Ghana’s transit corridors as well as precautionary and reactionary security assessment-role of the haulage truck drivers.
Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana’s Shippers’ Authority, in an address read on her behalf, pointed out that in a recent engagement with shippers in Burkina Faso and Niger revealed that challenges in transit traffic are due to a number of factors including, the continued application of VAT on transit goods, the non-transparent handling of transit cargoes – Uncleared Cargo List (UCL) and without recourse to the importer, arbitrary application of exchange rates as well as harassment by uniformed personnel at numerous check points along the corridor.
These concerns, she said, require the collective effort of all stakeholders to address.
“The heightened security concerns and the risks posed to transit consignment, the trucks and in particular the lives of the drivers and their assistants, have largely informed the emphasis of this event on security matters along the transit corridors. We have accordingly put together an array of resource persons to address these issues,” she added.
Ms. Bismarck said as it has become the tradition since 2018 to effect quarterly fact-finding missions on the main transit corridors in Ghana to drive continuous improvement and address issues of infractions on road traffic regulations, police harassment and malpractices at the axle load stations, amongst others, the Ghana Shippers’ Authority embarked on a fact-finding mission in March this year.
“The major findings include 67 police and MTTD stops, eight customs checkpoints, five axle load stations, eight forestry and five Immigration check points,” she said.
She said some concerns that were raised, are being addressed with the relevant authorities including the Police Service and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
“The Authority will continue to conduct sensitization seminars with all major stakeholders including the Police Service and Customs on the need to make Ghana’s corridor the preferred choice, thus the hub for transit trade in the West African sub region” she added.
Mrs. Agnes Asamoah Duku, Branch Manager of Shippers Authourity noted that the safe transport of cargoes with due regard to all road safety measures and protocols, is a key requirement for international haulage of goods.
Fred Gassese, Western Regional Manager of DVLA said there is the need for stakeholders to come together to improve upon haulage transport.
Capt. Leius Mamoud stationed at the 2BN advised the truck drivers to avoid picking strangers and be very observant on the road. “You should have tracking devices and other emergency response mechanism”.
He concluded that haulage transport is essential for the growth and development of the country.
