Accra, Ghana//-The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) today expressed its sincere appreciation to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for its decision to suspend the implementation of the proposed Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) regime for imported vehicles into Ghana.
The Institute, in a press release issued by its President, Stephen Adjokatcher, considers this decision a positive and responsive step that will provide the necessary opportunity for further engagement and consultation with stakeholders within the freight forwarding and shipping community.
“On behalf of the leadership and membership of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, and indeed the entire freight forwarding fraternity, I wish to commend the Ghana Standards Authority for listening to the concerns of industry stakeholders and taking this important step”, the release added.
GIFF believes that policies and regulatory measures affecting the movement and clearance of goods at Ghana’s ports must be developed and implemented through meaningful consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Freight forwarders, as key actors in the international trade and customs clearance chain, remain committed to supporting measures that promote safety, standards, efficiency, transparency and revenue mobilisation while avoiding unnecessary burdens on importers and other stakeholders, it said.
“The Institute is particularly grateful for the opportunity this suspension creates for continued dialogue towards finding a practical, efficient and sustainable framework for the inspection and certification of imported vehicles”.
Appreciation to the Minister for Transport
The President and members of GIFF, together with the entire freight forwarding fraternity, also expressed their profound appreciation to the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe for his intervention in this matter.
“Following the concerns raised by GIFF and our subsequent appeal to the Minister to intervene, his engagement and intervention have contributed significantly to bringing the various concerns to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
We are grateful to the Honourable Minister for his responsiveness and commitment to ensuring that the concerns of freight forwarders and other stakeholders within the transport and logistics sector receive the necessary attention”.
GIFF viewed this intervention as a demonstration of the importance of constructive engagement between government and industry in addressing matters that have implications for Ghana’s trade and logistics environment.
Commitment to Collaboration
The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders reiterated its readiness and willingness to collaborate with the Ghana Standards Authority, the Ministry of Transport, other relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders to develop a system that achieves the desired regulatory objectives without creating unnecessary obstacles to legitimate trade.
The release assured that members of the GIFF remained committed to promoting an efficient, transparent and business-friendly port and freight forwarding environment that supports Ghana’s economic development.
The GIFF therefore looked forward to further consultations with the relevant authorities and stakeholders on the way forward.
