‘Train Maritime Transport Journalists’ -Fiifi Kwetey Advocates

Dignitaries at the Seminar

The Minister for Transport, Mr. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of maritime transport in the curriculum of public journalism schools, to enable the training of high calibre Maritime Transport Journalists to improve upon maritime literacy among the public.

He made the call at the 5^th Maritime Seminar for Journalists in the country at Accra, on the theme: Current Development in the Maritime Industry-Ghana’s Readiness.

Mr. Fifi Kwetey, Minister for Transport

Mr. Kwetey, who underscored the importance of the maritime transport subsector, noted that over 70% of Government’s internal revenue is sourced from activities in the maritime industry, adding that more than 90% of Ghana’s international trade volume is based on the industry.  

“Ghana’s oil exploitation activities are maritime based”, he observed, and stated that the seaports were critical national security installations requiring interest and attention of the journalists.

The Minister mentioned completion of work on a $20million Reefer Terminal in Tema port to meet demand for more Cargo, and the injection of $1.5billion investment by a Private Sector Investor for the expansion of the Tema Port, which includes the development of a new container terminal, and construction of a 3.85KM breakwater.

Others include the construction of a railway terminal, reconstruction of Tema motorway into a 6 lane, the near completion of the Maritime Hospital in Tema and the completion of Phase One of the Takoradi Logistics Platform project.

The Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, noted that the Maritime Pollution Act, 2016 was passed by Parliament in May to provide the framework for regulation of maritime source pollution.        

Dr. Affail Monney, President of GJA

The President of the Ghana Journalist Association, Dr Affail Monney, stated that the need to capacitate Journalists was crucial for their performance, adding that “capacity building has proven to be most the potent medicine to cure professional diseases of journalists, including mirror and chronic ones.”

He called on “journalists to limit their excessive and compulsive politicisation of issues and give more airtime and print space to issues which promote our socio-economic well being.”

“The jack of all trade and master of none approach must give way to specialisation” Dr. Monney stated, and charged media practitioners to sharpen their focus on issues which can ensure the country’s economic sustainability.

He thanked the Ghana Shippers Authority for organising the Seminar for Journalists, and pledged the continued collaboration between the GJA and the GSA to give sensitisation to the public on the development in Ghana’s Maritime Industry.   

Similarly, Ms. Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Shippers' Authority, also commended the collaboration between the GJA and the GSA, which has led to the organisation of maritime Seminars for the media the past five years.

She said the recent introduction of Ghana National Single Window system, the International Maritime Organisation Container Weight Verification requirement and the implementation of the ECOWAS Common Tariff were relevant and current happenings in the maritime industry which required the understanding of the media.

She noted that the Authority’s readiness to respond to global changes in the maritime industry, especially where commercial shipping was concerned and keep abreast with trends to be competitive in the global logistics value chain.       

In line with this, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer stated the head office of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority has been moved to its new office Complex: the Ghana Shippers’ House last month at the West Ridge Ambassadorial Enclave in Accra.   

“The 12-storey multipurpose office complex is expected to serve as one-stop shop for shipping and related service providers” she added.

Participants were taken through the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Requirement for container weight verification: Is Ghana Ready? Understanding the ECOWAS Common External Tariff and the Ghana National Single Window-How Far?    

Background                             

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority established in 1974 by NRCD 254 has been at the frontline of Ghana’s maritime industry. It collaborates with private and public organisations to pursue the primary objective of protecting and promoting the interests of Ghanaian shippers in relation to port, ship, and inland transport problems and provision of ancillary shipping services.

The Authority has a vision to be a world class service organisation that ensures for shippers in Ghana quick, safe, reliable and cost effective delivery of import and export cargoes by all modes of transport.