The Tema Fishing Harbour has been host to a historic ceremony as it witnessed its fair share of the ongoing Queen’s baton relay, that took place in selected places of cultural significance across the country.
The activity similar to the Olympic Torch Relay is organised before the beginning of the Commonwealth Games.
Next year’s games will be held in Birmingham between July and August.
The baton relay, which began in October 2021, is expected to travel across all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s message.
It is a symbolic event that signifies unity and sportsmanship among the various participating commonwealth states.
Speaking to Eye on Port, the 2nd Vice President of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Frederick Lartey Otu explained that the Fishing Harbour was selected due to the socio-cultural significance fishing has on the people of the Tema traditional area, as well as the economic significance of the Port of Tema to the nation.
The Chief fishermen who participated in the relay ceremony expressed joy over the experience.
“It brings us joy to know that we were recognised in such an international event taking place all over the world. We are glad to know we are participating in an event that would take Ghana’s name far,” Nii Ajietey Mator III, the Chief Fisherman, Ashaiman, Tema expressed.
The Queen’s baton toured Ghana for three days.
It was first carried from the Jubilee House to the British High Commission, with Ghana’s first runner being President Akufo-Addo.
25th Intermodal Africa Conference Held in Accra
The 25th Intermodal Africa 2021 Conference and Exhibition has been held in Accra, bringing together world-class speakers and key players from the continent’s transport and logistics industry.
The 2-day event was hosted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority with support from Meridian Ports Services Ltd (MPS).
Discussion centred around contributions transport and logistics can make to enhance global supply chains.
The participants also gave particular focus to ways to link trade opportunities in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa in contributing towards the economic development in the West African subregion.
During the opening ceremony, the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje urged all participants to indulge each other in providing practical ideas that can help the industry thrive.
He noted that “in Ghana, the port sector is evolving, and I would also like to let you know that we made significant progress and our country is very resilient when it comes to the economy. And we are happy about that.”
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Transport, Kweku Ofori Asiamah, urged the various players to implement a holistic and strategic response for enhanced transport connectivity that goes beyond traditional solutions.
The Minister also urged players to work out effective methods to create a resilient transport and logistics sector as well as solve incessant congestions suffered in many ports worldwide.
Kweku Ofori Asiamah said, “we need to improve cargo movement through a resilient logistics and supply chain sector while enriching customer experience and shaping the next-generation port industry through technology and automation.
A lot of ports are facing severe congestions and backlog as a result of the imbalance posed by the uncertainty of COVID-19. Therefore, it is our duty to come up with new ways of preparing the ports and maritime logistics chain to meet the exigencies of future challenges.”
Ghana Chamber of shipping calls for deliberate government policies to shape fortunes of Ghana’s shipping and maritime industry
An executive council member of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping Stanley Raja Korshie Ahorlu has called for deliberate legislation and policy initiatives that would propel Ghana to the next step of development when it comes to the shipping and maritime industry.
Stanley Ahorlu said there are ongoing trends in the industry, and it is upon the government to fashion out deliberate policies and legislation that would guarantee that Ghana benefits from where it has a competitive advantage.
He said the shipping supply chain has Ghana giving away too much than she receives, adding that it’s about time Ghana taps into and profits from certain key components within the chain.
Mr. Ahorlu articulated that, “the shipping supply chain has various segments. From the warehouse of the seller to the warehouse to the receiver, everything that goes on between that is the chain. We are asking which part of the chain we derive value from.
We need to identify where we can most effectively play and then focus on that through policy and legislation, through incentive packages and through capacitation of our locals to take advantage of those segments.”
“The 2015 UNCTAD data indicate that the total shipping transport services in Ghana amounted to USD 2.318 Billion. Ghana earned only USD 457 million out of that which is approximately 20% of the value of the market. So, this is what we have to bear in mind if we are going to introduce policies or strategize because there is money out there to be made,” he added.
The maritime lawyer and entrepreneur cited how Ghana can leverage its competitive advantage in the bulk cargo business, and crude oil business for example.
Mr. Ahorlu suggested that “COCOBOD having a shipping division that enters into the export of cocoa is a way to start. Same for our bauxite and manganese. The liquid bulk carriage of our crude is also an example. It is not inconceivable that well-operating TOR could have been doing finished products with its own ships. It doesn’t necessarily have to acquire them. They could chatter and by chattering you create brokerage. Can GNPC also have a shipping division that can leverage offshore vessels? That is also an example. These alone can create other jobs in the chain.”
Cabotage
He opined that the position of the Chamber is for the introduction and enforcement of cabotage law, to be addressed from a broader perspective.
“I am saying this because, in all the places, the experiment of cabotage legislation hasn’t worked that well. For example, in Nigeria. We have an advantage in that we have the African Free Trade Area which has opened up the opportunity for short sea shipping across the coastline of the African continent. So instead of looking at cabotage from a parochial national point of view, we can look at it from a continental or regional point of view.”
Stanley Ahorlu, who was sharing the perspective of the Chamber on Ghana’s shipping industry on Eye on Port, described Ghana’s shipping and the maritime industry as a largely improved one from a decade ago, but said there remains a long road ahead.
He recounted that in 2011 for example, the inadequate infrastructural capacity coupled with inefficiencies in the port clearance chain caused massive delays and difficulties in the maritime trade that consequently contributed to increased cost of goods on the local market.
He said while there has been significant improvement in port infrastructure and supporting automation at the ports, there is still a glaring gap for intermodal transport connectivity within Ghana and across the subcontinent.
Shipping charges
Stanley Ahorlu also raised concerns about the cost of some shipping service provisions in Ghana.
He said, “shipping lines have their agents in Ghana. The expectation is that when you pay for freight for the cargo, thereafter you only have to pay little to nothing. But in Ghana, we have situations where before you take that cargo out of the port, you have to go back to the shipping line and pay some more money. Year on year shippers and freight forwarders have complained. Some of the charges that the agents of the lines charge have no correlation to the services provided.”
Marine cargo insurance
The Executive Council Member of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping also expressed support for the ongoing initiative to have importers procure marine cargo insurance locally.
He said, “practically it is better to procure insurance here. Because when the goods arrive here and they are damaged or there are shortfalls, you would want to have access to the insurance company or the broker, you make that claim. If your insurance is procured by the seller in his country, he adds his margin, a chunk of our money goes there.”
Touching on the sensitive subject of overstayed uncleared cargoes belonging to state agencies, he said the government should take the bold initiative to sell such goods off to rid the ports of congestion.
Stanley Ahorlu said the Chamber would continue to engage government and industry players on pertinent issues for growth in the sector based on facts.
The Ghana Chamber of Shipping, established in 2018, is dedicated to advocating shipping and maritime industry-related issues through research and collaborations with government as well as local and international institutions with the goal of growing the industry through policy direction.
The Chamber boasts of veteran and present industry professionals with a vast experience leading different institutions and organisations in the sector.