Superior Court Justices of Ghana have been updated on contemporary trends in the maritime sector to aid them to adjudicate such matters efficiently.
Over 70 justices attended the 13th Maritime Law Seminar held on the 10th and 11th December, 2021. The two-day event, organised by the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) and supported by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) was to build the capacity of the judges on modern-day happenings in the industry.
They were taken through topics including Piracy and Terrorism, Bills of Landing and other Documents in use in International Trade and Arrest of Ships, Judicial Sale and Distribution of Proceeds.
During the opening ceremony, the Chief Justice (CJ), Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah said that the nation’s commercial maritime activities are critical to economic growth and therefore it is imperative for the judiciary to be equipped enough to deal with maritime matters that come before it.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Ms. Benonita Bismarck, said that with continuous improvement of operations in the sector to enhance ease of doing business, deliberate efforts were being made to ensure that players in the sector had clarity on legal procedures both locally and globally.
While highlighting the success chalked by the introduction of the Integrated Customs Management System and Paperless Port Clearance System, she said Uncleared Cargo List and its administration was a challenge to the shipping sector.
She said through the advocacy of the GSA, a committee had been set up by the Transport Ministry to resolve some of the issues including http://armodexperiment.com the uncleared consignments of state institutions that have been at the ports for about three years.
Ms Bismarck said the GSA was also working with other stakeholders to streamline charges at the ports and reduce the cost of shipping.
The JTI Acting Director, Justice Dennis Adjei, commended the GSA for supporting the training of Justices and appealed to the GSA to support some justices to pursue further courses in maritime law.
The Judges expressed profound gratitude to the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority for taking them round the Tema Port to give them first-hand experience of port operations.
