Ghana Shippers’ Authority schools transit truck drivers

The Ghana Shippers Authority has organised a sensitization workshop for haulage truck drivers and operators on issues concerning road safety on Ghana’s transit corridors with its neighbouring landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Benonita Bismarck called on all stakeholders to contribute their quota to ensuring a lasting solution to the challenges confronting the transit trade in order to achieve Ghana’s quest to becoming the preferred transit country and subsequently becoming the gateway to the West African subregion.

Transit truck drivers were taken through the new transit Trade procedures which consist of Vehicle Registration, Bonding of Owners and Drivers involved in the Transit Trade, Road Safety among others.

Head of Freight and Logistics Department of the GSA, Fred Asiedu-Dartey said the major objective of the workshop is to address key issues confronting the haulage industry adding that the introduction of containerization of transit trucks needs to be discussed with the haulage truck drivers and owners.

Ishmael Bayaa of the Ghana Highways Authority also took truck drivers through the implementation of Axle Load Regulations in Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180) and the need to avoid overloading.

An Officer from the National Road Safety Commission, Tony Dickson made a shocking revelation stating that safety on the road has gone beyond drunk driving as some drivers have resorted to inhaling fuel from the vehicle tanks to gain more energy in order to drive for long hours.

Some participants also expressed concerns over the corruption along the major highways, lack of rest stops, harassment from the Police and the need to ensure effective collaboration for transit trade to thrive.