Customs officials urged to be professional
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Mrs Sylvia Asana Dauda Owu, has urged custom brokers and other players in the freight forwarding industry to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
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This, she said, would help guard themselves against criminal activities that end up tarnishing the image of the maritime industry.
She gave the advice during the inauguration of the Tema branch of the Customs Brokers Association -Ghana (CUBAG) and the swearing in of the National Executive Committee of CUBAG.
CUBAG as a player in the freight forwarding business, assists their principals- importers and exporters- to clear their goods from the port. Their function includes documentation, transportation, warehousing, and customs clearance.
Fluidity
She said the work of custom brokers or custom house agent is very crucial in the fluidity of the supply chain and to a large measure critical in the cost effective operations of the business of importers and exporters.
She said it was, therefore important for CUBAG members to realise that truth and try as much as possible to be professional in their activities in order to enable shippers have confidence in their operations and see them as a very important partner in their operations.
She also admonished members of CUBAG to operate within the negotiated charges agreed with the GSA so that there can be a fair, stable and cost effective business environment that ensures the competitiveness in shippers.
Background
The National President of CUBAG, Mr Daniel Kofi Asomaning who leads a 10-member national executive committee, recounted the historical background of the association and said it was inaugurated on December 18, 1992.
Mr Asomaning said the association among other objectives is aimed at performing the business of clearing and forwarding and the dissemination of information and policies related to international trade.
He warned members that the national executives will not defend anyone who fraudulently misconducts him or herself.
For his part, the Chairman of the Tema branch of CUBAG, Mr Emmanuel Valentine Gadzekpo, pledged to promote best practices among members, encourage the highest standard of efficiency, excellence and regular training for members, to protect both the custom broker and the customer. — GB
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