A clarion call has been made to Agencies operating at Ghana’s ports to abandon siloed operations and instead adopt a collaborative approach that ensures efficiency, reduces cost, and improves the country’s image in international trade.
The call, made by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) in charge of Technical Services, Mrs. Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu on behalf of the CEO, Professor Ransford Gyampo came at a crucial time as Ghana prepares for the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Policy at its ports, a transformative agenda aimed at boosting round-the-clock operations and enhancing competitiveness.
Mrs. Dauda Owu, noted that the shipping and logistics industry is a highly intricate ecosystem which functions effectively only when all players, including Regulatory and Security Agencies, Terminal operators, Freight Forwarders, and Shipping Lines recognize their interdependence and coordinate efforts.
She explained that the shipping value chain operates as a dynamic web of institutions, processes, and systems, where a single weak link can set off a chain reaction of inefficiencies that could ultimately undermine Ghana’s reputation in global trade. “The clarion call is for every institution to stop working in silos and start acting with awareness of how their respective roles impact the broader ecosystem.” She noted.
She made these remarks during the maiden Southern Zonal Stakeholder Committee Meeting for 2025, which brought together key industry players to deliberate on issues that have persistently hampered port operations.
Addressing the meeting, GSA’s Head of Operations, Mrs. Monica Josiah, identified cost, time, and quality of service delivery as the three most recurring challenges captured through the GSA’s Port Monitoring activities. She urged members of the committee to prioritize these areas in their interventions.
Responding to concerns about whether stakeholder engagements lead to actionable outcomes, Mrs. Josiah explained that every committee meeting produces a detailed report which is submitted to the relevant Agencies and their supervising Ministries. These reports form the basis for follow-up actions and policy recommendations.
She emphasized that the goal is to ensure that each Agency, while fulfilling its individual mandate, contributes to a system where seamless, efficient, and cost-effective shipping operations are the norm; not the exception.
As Ghana positions itself for a more integrated and efficient trade facilitation system, the GSA’s message is clear: true progress requires collective responsibility and a shared commitment to national development.
