Fifi Fiave Kwetey, Minister of Transport on Thursday assured the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) of his readiness to be a lead advocate of competitiveness in the shipping industry.

He expressed worry why the country business does not put competitiveness of doing business ahead of its competitors.

Mr Kwetey gave the assurance when he pay a working visit to the GSA at its Head Office in Accra.

He said the greatest asset of Ghana is its geographical business location in the West African sub-region.

This he said is what guarantee the country’s future for investors to do business with the assurance of political stability, peace and development.

Mr Kwetey said the Ministry of Transport is ready to assist all agencies under it to execute and fulfill its mandate.

He lauded the authority’s efforts of using technology to advance its work as well as its infrastructure developments aimed at generating revenue to support its activities.

Dr Kofi Mbia, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GSA said the mandate of the authority is to protect and promote the interest of shippers in the country.

He said the GSA 2014-2018 strategic plan is directed at fortifying and enhancing the image of the authority.

Dr Mbia said the authority is effectively and efficiently managing Ghana’s commercial shipping industry and also securing revenue for government through data quality assurance.

He said one of the major problems that causes delay and affects shippers at the ports are intrusive inspection of goods and that the GSA is in talking term with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to find a solution to the problem.

The CEO also mentioned the proliferation of shippers’ unprofessional conducts that increases the debt burden on the authority.

The authority was established as Ghana Shippers Council and later revised by the 1998 Act 562 which change the name to Ghana Shippers Authority.