Stakeholders in the maritime industry demand a shipping policy

Company News of Thursday, March 14, 2019

Source: citibusinessnews.com

2019-03-14

Stakeholders of the Ghana Maritime Authority call for the development of a comprehensive maritime transport policy as soon as possible.

According to them, such a policy will streamline the activities of the maritime sector and strengthen its contribution to trade.

The comments were made during the opening ceremony of the National Workshop on Maritime Transport Policy held here in Accra.

The three-day national workshop on maritime transport policy will bring together representatives of the International Maritime Organization, the Ghana Ports and Harbors Administration, private sector actors and government representatives, with the aim of Engage these actors in a constructive dialogue to lay the groundwork for a strong policy that could be part of or parallel to a broader integrated national maritime policy or ocean governance policy.

Speaking in front of Citi Business News on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Acting Headquarters Branch of the Technical Cooperation Division for Program Management and Coordination, Jonathan Pace said that the The time for a national shipping policy was long overdue.

For his part, Daniel Appianin, the first Deputy Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, stressed the impact of such a policy.

"We can not forget the fact that shipping is essential, especially for the import of goods and services. It is therefore time for our country to improve existing shipping policies to improve its trade and business, especially on its seas, including Lake Volta. "

Mr. Kofi Mbiah, former Director General of the Ghana Shippers' Authority, also added that the entry into force of a comprehensive national shipping policy would lead to increased employment in the sector.

"With technology making people in the marine sector unemployed, it's important that you develop policies that allow you to recycle and / or use non-redundant ones. These are questions that the new policy will address.