Ghana Chamber of Shipping Calls for Increased Local Private Sector Participation in Maritime Industry
- Turkson urged government to promote local private sector
- The conference explored public-private partnerships
- He emphasized the importance of equitable balance
The Vice Chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Shipping (GCS), Captain Aaron Turkson, has urged the government to promote greater involvement of local private sector players in the country’s maritime industry.
He believes that this will enhance productivity, drive economic growth, and ensure sustainable development.
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According to Captain Turkson, local private sector entities possess the expertise, resources, and networks necessary to contribute significantly to the maritime industry.
By leveraging these strengths, the sector can achieve sustainable growth and development.
He lamented the decline of indigenous local shipping agents, freight forwarders, and stevedoring companies in recent years, highlighting the need for government support to revive their participation.
Captain Turkson emphasized the importance of a fair and equitable balance between external investors and local indigenous players in the industry.
The GCS Shipping Conference Series for 2024, held in Accra under the theme “Blue Economy: Local Private Sector Participation in the Maritime Space,” provided a platform for industry stakeholders to discuss potential avenues for private sector engagement.
The conference explored public-private partnerships for port development and innovation in maritime technology.
Ghana’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, commended the GCS for organizing the conference and expressed the government’s commitment to a sustainable and prosperous maritime industry.
He highlighted the government’s investments in infrastructure and technology to facilitate port operations and the importance of private sector collaboration in achieving this goal.
The minister also mentioned the government’s efforts to promote a green transition in the shipping industry through the development of a National Action Plan on Green Shipping.
Ghana’s strategic location on the West African coast offers significant opportunities for growth in the maritime sector, including fishing, shipping, tourism, and marine resource management.
The Ghana Chamber of Shipping’s call for increased local private sector participation in the maritime industry aligns with the government’s vision for a sustainable and prosperous sector.
By fostering collaboration between public and private entities, Ghana can harness the full potential of its maritime resources to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.
