The Business and Financial Times Limited (B&FT) has been awarded “Best Media in Maritime Reporting” in the maiden edition of the Ghana Maritime and Shipping Awards (GMSA 2017) held last Friday at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The award was in recognition of the paper’s commitment to driving up the gains of the buoyant sea trade business through detailed reportage on issues and concerns of individuals, firms and business associations operating in the industry.

Organised by the events firm, NinetyEightz Events, the awards seeks to reward excellence in the dominant economic sector while promoting dialogue and networking among the various industry players as a means to driving growth and profitability in the maritime business.

Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr. Ato Konduah, said of the awards: “We want to recognise and celebrate the works of individuals who have sailed the seas and blazed the trail for the country in the maritime environment.”

He indicated that for several years, there has been no recognition for maritime industry players even though most Ghanaians in the fraternity are rewarded on the global front for their seamless competence and contribution to the sector.

He noted: “Through this awards, we want to honor and reward their efforts locally as well as provide the avenue for industry actors to interact, discuss industry issues and forge ahead to drive the growth of the maritime business.”

The GMSA was organised in partnership with business associations in the shipping industry including the Regional Maritime University (RMU), the Ghana Freight Forwarders Association (GFFA), the Maritime Professionals Club (MPC), and the Ghana Dock Labour Company.

Economic Counselor at the United States Embassy in Ghana, Jimmy Mauldin, who was a guest speaker, commended the initiative to reward and drive excellence in the maritime industry which he described “as the lifeline of trade”.

He said Ghana is blessed with natural resources and opportunities to expand trade citing the maritime sector as an area that can be leveraged by government to improve the lives of its people.

Mr. Mauldin indicated that the US Embassy is currently partnering the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authourity (GPHA) to improve port security and barriers to in the bid to increase trade to the United States and other global markets.

“We believe that developing innovative solutions that will reduce the delays and cost of trade will make Ghana the preferred hub for maritime logistics and trade in the region”, he noted.

Vice-President of the Maritime Professionals Club (MPC), Ing. Teddy Mensah, indicated that the awards will drive actors in the industry to continually transform the marine economy, which he said, plays a critical role in the sustained growth of the national economy.

He said: “I congratulate the various award winners; we hope the recognition will serve as a motivation to various industry players to strive further towards the growth of the maritime industry.”

The MPC boss further urged the need for the development of marine transport backed by competent human resource base to ensure that economy rakes in the full potential of the all-important sector.

Alhaji Asuma Banda was awarded with the “Maritime Lifetime Achievement Award” while the Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Shipping (Conship), Dr. Macdonald Chimandas Vasnani, was awarded “Maritime Personality of the Year”, with McDan Shipping Company Limited scooping the award for “Freight Forwarder of the Year”.

Westblue Consulting Limited won “Technology/Innovations Award (MDA/Consulting category) while the “Maritime Education and Training Award” went to the Regional Maritime University. The GPHA’s television programme “Eye on Port” was awarded “Maritime Programme of the Year” with Guaranty Trust Bank recognised as “Best Company in Import /Export Finance”

Other award winners include: Star Assurance Company Limited “Best Company in Marine Insurance”; Redsea Maritime Services “Best Shore Handling Company of the Year”; Meridian Ports Services “Best Container Terminal of the Year; and Antrak “Maritime Logistics Company of the Year”.