Dr. Kofi Mbiah, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, has recently advised various industry stakeholders, including the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Freight forwarders, Importers, and Exporters Association, to accept the new Shipper Authority Law. This law, which was recently passed in parliament, aims to standardize charges at the ports and empower the Shippers Authority to make decisions that will improve the industry as a whole.
Dr. Mbiah highlighted the fact that prior to the drafting of this bill, there was a lack of standard charges at the ports, leading to various complaints from stakeholders in the industry. He emphasized that these stakeholders had previously advocated for the Shippers Authority to be given the mandate to address these issues, making it puzzling that they are now opposing the new law.
During an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, Dr. Mbiah expressed his surprise at the opposition to the law, stating, „I have been connected with the industry and I am very much aware that there has been numerous complaints from the stakeholders themselves. So it will come to me as a big surprise if we do not take the opportunity that this new bill offers.“
The call for President Akufo-Addo to postpone signing the Ghana Shippers Authority Law came from industry stakeholders, including GUTA, who argued that they were not consulted before the bill was passed in parliament. However, Dr. Mbiah stressed that this is a crucial moment for all stakeholders in the industry to come together and resolve the issues they have been facing.
„We can’t get something that pleases everybody, so it is important that we streamline. And this act, I believe does well to streamline what we have been doing so far,“ Dr. Mbiah emphasized. He called for a collective agreement on the matter, highlighting the need for unity among industry stakeholders to move forward and improve the shipping industry in Ghana.
In conclusion, Dr. Kofi Mbiah’s advice to accept the new Shipper Authority Law is based on the need for standardization and improvement within the industry. His experience and understanding of the challenges faced by stakeholders make his perspective valuable in this discussion. It is essential for all parties involved to come together, engage in constructive dialogue, and work towards a common goal of enhancing the shipping sector in Ghana.