Shippers call for respect from service providers et al

Stakeholders, government agencies and service providers operating in the ports and the various points of entry have been urged to always endeavour to be patient and also accord shippers the due respect in their dealings with them.

The non-cooperative attitude and the negative posturing of some officials of government agencies and service providers in the clearance process has been an issue of great concern to many players in the shipping industry and this often happens with customs officials being the most accused.

Chairman of the Volta Regional Shippers Committee, Cephas Exe tells M&TD that the attitude of some of the officials and stakeholders especially at the Aflao border seriously undermines unity, oneness of purpose and peaceful co-existence between them as partners in the industry.

According to him, because some of the shippers are not as educated as the officials in the ports and points of entry, they are often looked down upon and treated with contempt and scorn, adding that such tendencies does not augur well for the smooth flow of international trade, particularly when it comes to the clearance of goods.

According to him, all the agencies operating in the border including the Foods and Drugs Authority, the Ghana Standards Authority, the Plant Protection and Regulatory unit, Veterinary Services Department and the customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority among others owe it a responsibility at all time to assist and accord shippers the necessary support they require in the course of their business.

According to him, the officials are not stationed at the border to only collect revenue for the government, but to also help facilitate trade which includes offering whatever assistance it is that is needed by the shippers and traders saying ‘’Revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation goes hand in hand and this must be the case at all times’’.

Shippers in the Region according to him, are law abiding and are always willing to play by the rules of engagement and expect that those that have been employed to offer services and assistance to them must not turn against the same code of conduct or rules of engagement that will help them improve and also facilitate trade.

‘’It is true that some of our people are not educated enough and so will always require some special attention and all that because we want to stay and do legitimate business and not be hounded by the negative attitude of someone who feels because he is more educated than you he can treat you shabbily’’ Mr. Exe noted.

Mr. Exe said the Volta Regional Shipper Committee has embarked on a number of educational programmes this year at the instance of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority with a view to keeping them abreast with latest trends, as well as the nuances and intricacies involved in the industry.

He was full of praise for the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Dr. Kofi Mbiah, who he described as a forward-looking leader whose vision for the shipping industry both in Ghana and abroad is very positive and enormous.

He assured of the resolve of the committee to ensure that the Authority realised its objective of promoting and protecting the interest of shippers in the country.