27th GIFF Annual General Meeting ends in Ho  

The 27th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) has concluded in Ho with a call for the institute to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive the economic growth of Ghana and Africa.  

The two-day meeting, held onthe theme “Adapting to Global Trade Dynamics – The Role of Freight Forwarders in AfCFTA”, highlighted the pivotal role of freight forwarders in advancing intra-African trade.  

Leveraging AfCFTA for growth  

At the opening on Friday, November 29, the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Michael A. Luguje, underscored the immense opportunities AfCFTA offered.  

“AfCFTA holds immense promise in trade, not only for Africa but the world at large,” he stated.  

He explained that the agreement aimed to unite 1.3 billion people across African countries by creating a single market that facilitated the free movement of goods and services across the continent.  

According to Mr Luguje, this arrangement is projected to boost intra-African trade by 52 per cent, potentially adding $3.4 trillion to Africa’s GDP. Furthermore, 25 per cent of intra-African trade gains in services are expected to benefit the transport sector, with nearly 40 per cent of the increase in Africa’s service production occurring in transport.  

He added, “With the increase in intra-African trade, demand for freight forwarding services will definitely rise, offering new avenues for business growth. This will also enable freight forwarders to specialise and diversify by tapping into niche markets and expanding portfolios.”  

Mr Luguje emphasised that freight forwarders were not just facilitators of trade but key drivers of economic growth. However, he noted that challenges such as navigating complex international trade regulations, infrastructure deficits and competition from global logistics providers remained significant hurdles.  

“Poor roads from the ports to the hinterland are a major challenge for the cargo transportation business,” he said.  

“But let us not be deterred by these challenges; instead, let us view them as stepping stones to innovation, resilience and collaboration,” he added.  

Freight Forwarders’ expanding role  

The President of GIFF, Stephen T. Adjokatcer, reiterated that the role of freight forwarders extended beyond logistics to that of advisors and consultants to clients.  

“Whether it is in the area of advertisement, warehousing, transport, insurance or trade-related services, we are expected to guide our clients through the complexities of the system,” he explained.  

Mr Adjokatcer also raised concerns about the excessive administrative and other costs imposed by shipping lines, which threaten the sustainability of freight forwarding operations.  

“With AfCFTA, we must strategically innovate boldly and collaborate seamlessly,” he urged.  

Traditional leadership’s perspective  

The Paramount Chief of Takla, Togbe Ayim Adzokoto II, who chaired the opening ceremony, highlighted the critical role of freight forwarders in ensuring the success of AfCFTA.  

“It is their responsibility to adapt, innovate and provide the seamless, efficient, and reliable services that will enable the movement of goods across borders within the continent and beyond,” he said.  

He further emphasised that freight forwarders were central to facilitating intra-African trade and ensuring the benefits of AfCFTA were fully realised.