In a bold move to revitalize the nation’s maritime and trade sectors, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has thrown its full support behind the recent appointments of Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali as Acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority and Prof. Ransford Gyampo as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
The IEAG’s announcement comes at a critical juncture for Ghana’s maritime operations, which have long grappled with bureaucratic delays, high port charges, inconsistent trade policies, and logistical inefficiencies.
The industry’s stakeholders are optimistic that the fresh leadership will implement reforms to streamline operations and foster a more business-friendly environment.
A Call to Action
“Dr. Ali and Prof. Gyampo have been recognized by the President not only for their outstanding competence but also for their visionary approach to addressing long-standing challenges in our maritime sector,” said Samson A. Awingobit, Executive Secretary of IEAG. “Their appointments are a call to duty—a mandate to modernize and transform these pivotal institutions for the benefit of all industry players.”
The Ghana Maritime Authority and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority serve as the backbone of the nation’s shipping operations.
Their roles include ensuring regulatory oversight, promoting smooth shipping operations, and creating conditions conducive to robust international trade. Industry experts are closely watching the new leadership, with high expectations that they will swiftly implement policies to ease the operational challenges that have historically hampered Ghana’s ports.
A Partnership for Progress
The IEAG has pledged to work in close collaboration with Dr. Ali and Prof. Gyampo, aiming to tackle systemic challenges head-on. By fostering an environment of effective engagement, the association believes that practical solutions can be introduced to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness on the global trade stage. Key focus areas include reducing bureaucratic red tape, rationalizing port charges, and harmonizing trade policies to streamline the import-export process.
“The road ahead will require innovation, efficiency, and transparency,” remarked Awingobit. “We are fully prepared to support these new leaders in their mission to reform our maritime institutions, thereby unlocking the potential of Ghana’s shipping sector and bolstering our national economy.”
Looking Ahead
As Ghana charts a new course in its maritime affairs, the appointments of Dr. Ali and Prof. Gyampo signal a promising era of reform and modernization. With the IEAG’s backing, industry stakeholders are hopeful that their combined efforts will translate into tangible improvements, fostering an environment where Ghana can thrive as a competitive hub in the global trade network.
The coming months are expected to be pivotal as the newly appointed officials begin to implement strategic reforms aimed at overhauling outdated practices and setting a new benchmark for operational excellence in Ghana’s maritime sector.
Below is the full Press Release
IEAG Backs Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali and Prof. Ransford Gyampo to Revolutionize Ghana’s Maritime Sector
Accra, Ghana – February 7, 2025
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali on his appointment as the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority and to Prof. Ransford Gyampo as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority.
Their appointments come at a crucial time for Ghana’s maritime and trade industry, and we urge them to see this responsibility not just as a recognition from the President but as a call to duty. Their selection is based on their competence and ability to lead these two vital institutions, and industry players have high expectations of them.
As key institutions in Ghana’s maritime sector, the Ghana Maritime Authority and the Ghana Shippers’ Authority play pivotal roles in ensuring smooth shipping operations, regulatory oversight, and creating a conducive business environment for importers and exporters. It is imperative that these new leaders take up the challenge of reforming these institutions to become more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana is fully prepared to collaborate with Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali and Prof. Ransford Gyampo to achieve their goals and targets for the trade and maritime sectors. We believe that through effective engagement, we can tackle the longstanding challenges that have hindered the smooth operations of businesses in Ghana’s ports, including bureaucratic delays, high port charges, inconsistent trade policies, and logistical inefficiencies.
We also call on them to be proactive in addressing the difficulties that importers and exporters have faced over the years, ensuring that policies and operations within the maritime industry promote ease of doing business. Their leadership must bring about practical solutions that will enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the global trade space.
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana looks forward to working closely with these newly appointed leaders to transform Ghana’s maritime and shipping sector for the betterment of traders and the national economy.
Signed:
Samson A. Awingobit
Executive Secretary
Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana