Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has held the 4th Sensitization Seminar for haulage truck drivers in Takoradi, Western Region. The seminar held on Thursday, 8th June 2023 was part of interventions aimed at enabling the truck drivers in the haulage industry to meet the standard of best practices in international trade.
Topics discussed included:
- Understanding the information on the “Dangerous Goods Placards” for the safe haulage of dangerous goods along Ghana’s corridors,
- Avoiding Driver Fatigue as a defensive driving strategy,
- Management of transit incidences along Ghana’s transit corridors,
- Precautionary and Reactionary security assessment-role of the haulage truck drivers.
Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, in an address read on her behalf by the Head of Freight and Logistics at the GSA, Mr. Fred Asiedu-Dartey, pointed out that a recent engagement with shippers in Burkina Faso and Niger revealed that challenges encountered in transit are due to a number of factors including the continued application of VAT on transit goods, the non-transparent handling of transit cargo (the Uncleared Cargo List – UCL) without recourse to the importer, arbitrary application of exchange rates as well as harassment by uniformed personnel at numerous checkpoints along the corridor.
These concerns, she said, require the collective effort of all stakeholders to be addressed effectively.
Mr. Fred Gassese, the Western Regional Manager of DVLA said that there is the need for stakeholders of the international haulage sector to come together to improve upon haulage transport.
Takoradi Branch Manager of GSA, Mrs. Agnes Asamoah Duku (middle)
Capt. Louis Mamoud stationed at the 2BN in Takoradi acknowledged that, haulage transport is essential for the growth and development of the country. He thus advised the truck drivers to avoid picking strangers on their journey, and to be very observant while they ply the roads. He said, “You should have tracking devices and other emergency response mechanisms”.
The Branch Manager of the Takoradi Branch of GSA, Mrs. Agnes Asamoah Duku noted that the safe transport of cargo with due regard to all road safety measures and protocols, is a key requirement for incident-free haulage of international cargo. She entreated the drivers to strive to be compliant at all times to enable them to carry on their work with little or no challenges, especially the avoidable ones.
