Former Presidents of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) have condemned the strike action organized by the current leadership of the freight forwarders on Monday 27th August 2018 to protest the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note policy (CTN).
The former Presidents of GIFF believe that the decision of the current leadership of the freight forwarders to resist the implementation of the CTN is self-serving and does not inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian consumer.
In an interview with Citi Business News, one of the former presidents of the GIFF, Frank Sarpong said the policy must be enforced.
“It will help the industry by creating an even playing field. You see it is just not we the past presidents that are in support of the CTN but there are a whole lot of silent voices who are in support of the CTN but they are afraid of what others will do to them”, he lamented.
He added, “This is a policy that is going to help Ghana and therefore must be enforced”.
Below is a copy of the full statement issued by the former presidents of GIFF.
THREE FORMER PRESIDENTS OF GIFF SUPPORTS CTN IMPLEMENTATION
Accra: August 27, 2018: We, the undersigned former Presidents of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders are not in support of the action taken by the current leadership of GIFF to kick against the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Notes (CTN) in the country.
We are confused as to the hasty decision by the leadership of GIFF to sabotage this laudable initiative at a time when the government has shown good will and a listening ear to the concerns raised by GIFF during the over 6-months consultation process prior to the full implementation of the CTN scheduled for 1st September, 2018.
Our concern has been further heightened due to the decision by the current leadership of GIFF to embark on a 3 –day strike in a very crude attempt at stampeding the government to take very unpopular decision.
We recall that just last week Monday, on the 20th of August 2018, a Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Kweku Kwarteng met major stakeholders including the GIFF leadership as part of the consultation process and addressed most of our concerns. The meeting with the Deputy Minister of Finance, has been just one out of many consultations held with GIFF members and its leadership since February this year.
We are therefore surprised by the current leadership of GIFF decision to push for a full strike action at a time when consultations are still on-going and all challenges are being resolved for the good of the country.
As current members of GIFF, former leaders of this reputable institution and representing the voice of the silent majority of our members as a whole, we deem it fit to distance ourselves from this very bad decision and confrontational approach to dialogue.
We believe, at every material time, all decisions must be sound, justifiable, resonate well with all members and above all, take into consideration the Ghanaian consumers welfare.
GIFF’s decision therefore, is self-serving and does not inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian consumer whom we are mandated to serve at all times.
It is ironic to hear that GIFF claims to be fighting for the Ghanaian consumer, when in fact by this single action of GIFF to go on strike, they would indeed make the lives of consumers worse off by increasing the cost of doing business as a result of demurage charges on goods and services at the ports.
We therefore urge all members who are against this strike action to go about their duties without fear or favour and with the conviction that the Ghanaian consumer must not suffer unduly because of the inaction of the GIFF.
We, the undersigned former Presidents of GIFF are convinced that the implementation of the CTN will bring more benefits to the country such as ensure a fair and a level playing field for all industry players, not just for a few as well for national security purposes such as to avert the importation of unwholesome goods into the country.
We wish to draw the attention of all stakeholders that since the project is on pilot basis for now, it will be only prudent to exercise patience for the exercise to end to know the benefits or otherwise of the project to the country before taking any major decision.
At all times, the national interest must override personal and parochial interest of only a few people and we urge the current GIFF leadership to pursue the path of dialogue and not confrontation.
Ghana deserves better.
Signed
- Mr Kofi Brako, MD- TeamWork Freight Services & MP for Tema Central- 020-8116003
- Mr Franck Sarpng- MD Fame Logistics- 0208116000
- Mr Robert Kutin- All Ships Ghana Limited
