First Africa Shippers Day launched Accra

BY CHRISTOPHER KUDWODZI Accra (Greater Accra) 2 Dec '98 - The maiden edition of Africa Shippers Day celebration was launched at the La Beach in Accra, today.

The celebration slated for April next year, is aimed at fostering close interaction between users of shipping services on the demand side and shippers on the supply side within the sub-region, as well as providing a platform for sub-regional co-operation.

Shipping accounts for over 90% of the total volume of external trade in West and Central Africa and is seen as being invaluable to the economic development of the respective countries.

While nations have engaged in shipping activities over the years, the realisation has dawned that much success can be achieved through sub-regional co-operation. It is in the light of this that the Union of African Shippers Council resolved to organise an African Shippers' Day as a forum to bring together the supply and demand sectors of the industry to achieve the following objectives. Highlightthe problems and aspirations of import and export shippers in West and Central Africawith the view to finding solutions to them. Createa platform for interaction among all players in the shipping industry in the sub-region. Ensureregular and safe shipping services as well as reduce costs to boost viability and profitability. Encourageindegenous participation in the provision of shipping services.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, said although Africa's Shippers Councils have performed impressively over the years, changes in the international environment requires them to review their objectives and seek to promote foreign trade in a more competitive manner.

On the home front, he called on the private sector to embark on direct investment in the development of an inland Port at Fumesua, near Kumasi to ensure that port services are brought closer to shippers especially those in and around Kumasi.

The Deputy Minister stated that Government will create an enabling regulatory framework for the private sector which has been identified as the main engine of growth to actively participate in the investment and provision of maritime transport services.

The observance of Africa Shipper's Day which will concide with the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Ghana Shippers' Council, will serve as a prelude to the holding of National Shippers' Day in the various West and Central African countries.

The call for the celebration of African Shippers' Day was mooted at an extra-ordinary session of the Union of African Shippers' Council last July.

The extra-ordinary session was held to adopt a master plan on the reform of Africa Shippers' Councils in line with the recommendations of the Ministerial Conference of West and Central African States on Maritime Transport at the II Cotonou Round Table Conference. The initiative was adopted at the end of the session and come April, 1999, the 1st African Shippers' Day will be celebrated in Accra.