However, the expert with over four (4) decades of experience in the field, has cautioned that the impact of the NIMS will hinge on true commitment especially from the nation’s political leaders.
The launch of Ghana’s National Integration Maritime Strategy (NIMS) has earned the admiration of many including veteran maritime consultant and legal practitioner, Dr. Kofi Mbiah, who has described the attempt made by the orchestrators of the strategy document as commendable.
He was joined later on via zoom by one of the architects of the strategy document, the Deputy Director of Policy at the Ministry of National Security, Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson
We were happy to host a friend of the show, Maritime Consultant and Legal Practitioner Dr. Kofi Mbiah, who assessed the prospects for growth and sustainability in the recently launched National Integrated Maritime Strategy.
28 students successfully completed courses in Understanding Shipping and Port Agency.
In addition, 3 students successfully completed the ICS Foundation Diploma, whereas 1 person each passed the Advance Diploma and the Professional Qualifying examination.
The West Africa School of Shipping has celebrated its one-year anniversary while also holding a graduation ceremony for thirty-three (33) students who undertook various shipping-related courses with the school.
The West Africa School of Shipping situated in Tema, Ghana is a recognised partner of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), London offering various academic and training programs to aspiring maritime professionals.
Key among the issues discussed are clearance processes of general goods and cars, the excise tax stamp, the Upfront VAT system, the Warehousing Regime, the Transit Regime, and other compliance related issues.
A Joint Customs Consultative Committee engagement has been held in Tema bringing together stakeholders in the Port business to channel the challenges faced in their daily operations in the Port.
Stakeholders present at the event include Customs, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, terminal operators, regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority, the various freight forwarding associations among others.
Speaking exclusively to Eye on Port, the Harbour Master at the Port of Tema, Capt. Francis Kwesi Micah revealed that work is far advanced, and the marine craft are expected before end of October.
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is set to receive two new tugboats with 80-ton bollard pull at the port of Tema to boost marine operational activities.
These cranes also offer the unique ability to stack containers over 10 units high on deck, equipped with twin-lift spreaders capable of handling loads of up to 65 tons.
Meridian Port Services (MPS) has taken delivery of three ship-to-shore (STS) and 12 rubber-tyre gantry (RTGs) cranes at Terminal 3 in the Port of Tema, as part of phase 2 of the port’s expansion project.
The high-tech STS cranes, classified as Super-Post Panamax, have the capability to service the world's largest vessels, featuring an impressive outreach of 66 meters and the ability to handle containers up to the 23rd row of vessels.
He said there have been challenges with regard to wrong classification from some clearing agents which hamper trade facilitation but on the whole, their contribution to trade facilitation cannot be overemphasised.
A principal revenue officer at the policy and programmes unit of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Smile Agbemenu has rated the productivity of clearing agents at the Ports of Ghana at almost 80%.
Speaking on Eye on Port on the relevance of freight forwarder in the era of technology, he said freight forwarders have done fairly well when it comes to the customs assessment of their operations.