Koforidua (E/R)-Ghana, Nov. 28, MNN – The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) has initiated strategic measures to maintain its relevance in the global turbulent supply chain and ensure that the members stay in productive business irrespective of the challenges.
Mr. Edward Akrong GIFF President said in maintaining the freight forwarders’ relevance, efforts should not be spared from venturing into Information Communication and Technology (ICT) solutions whose dividend would endear freight forwarders’ to the trader.
Mr Akrong stated at the GIFF 25th Annual General Meeting in Koforidua, Eastern Regional Capital which was monitored by the Myliberty News Network (MNN) deliberated on how freight forwarders can maintain their relevance in a turbulent global supply chain.
Mr. Akrong appealed to the Minister of Transport to bring to finality some unjustifiable shipping line charges.
Mr. Akrong said the GIFF research hub which was recently launched would make available research data to tackle challenges and also provide solutions to issues within the port and shipping industry.
Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), said the Authority is collaborating with the Committee of Freight Forwarder Associations (COFFA) and the Ghana Union of Traders Association to engage the shipping lines.
She said the engagement seeks to streamline processes and address the general service quality issues within the cargo clearance space with the view to stemming the tide of arbitrariness in the introduction and increases in tariff.
Ms. Bismarck disclosed that the 2021 estimates of the amount of demurrage paid by shippers in Ghana showed a significant decline to $19 million and that the Authority will continue to pursue a further reduction to the barest minimum in the interest of shippers.
She noted that with the recent increases in the daily demurrage rates by some shipping lines coupled with the current exchange rate volatility, there is a need to work out to reduce its impact on stakeholders.
Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III, Omanhene of New Juaben, who chaired the event appealed to freight forwarders to be honest in their dealings with importers and refrain from acts of distortion.
