By Mohammed Awal
THE Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) in 2015 would begin the implementation of the Advanced Shipment Information (ASHI) project to provide information on shipments to importers before their arrival at the country’s ports.
The Chief Executive of GSA, Dr. Kofi Mbiah who disclosed this explained that the ASHI project would be introduced in accordance with the latter’s mandate as enshrined in the GSA regulations (L.I.2190) and its implementation is expected to commence next year January.
He made this announcement at the GSA’s 40th anniversary celebration launch in Accra under the theme:”Forty years of providing dedicated services to shippers in Ghana, Achievements, Challenges and opportunities.”
On the 40th anniversary, he said that it would serve as a platform to applaud the industry captains who had braved the turbulent and choppy waters of import and export, manufacturing, trading and the provision of logistics and support services.
Also it would be used to reaffirm the “synergistic collaboration,” the GSA had with the private and public sectors over the last four decades in promoting and protecting shippers’ interest announced, Dr. Mbiah.
He assured all importers and exporters that the GSA would not relent in its efforts of providing quality service that would facilitate trade, ensure efficiency in shipping operations, drive down costs and make the Ghanaian shipper competitive.
Achievements
The GSA has established ten vibrant Import/Export Shipper Committees in the ten regions of Ghana to meet regularly with shippers to discuss issues of concern to them and also enhance their competitiveness in international trade.
Also it has established the Shipper Complaints and Support Units (SCSU) to assist shippers through the provision of real-time support services in their trade and transport transactions at the frontiers. Presently where are five SCSUs located at Aflao, Elubo, Takoradi, Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and Paga.
Formation
The Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) was established by the NRCD 254 on the 5th of April, 1974 and subsequently inaugurated on the 18th of February, 1975 with the objective of protecting and promoting the interests of Ghanaian shippers in relation to port, ship and inland transport problems in order to ensure safe, reliable and cost effective maritime transport and logistics.
Its activities were initially supervised by the ministry of Trade, but with time the supervisory role was handed over to the then Ministry of Transport and Communication.
The Authority commenced operations as a subvented agency. However, 1987, with the passage of the Ghana shippers’ Authority Cargo Sharing Regulations L.I 1347, it weaned itself from the government subvention and became a net revenue earner.
Over the years the Authority had grown into a formidable organization with branch offices in Tema, Takoradi and Kumasi.
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