Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), together with the Port Ladies Association (PLASS) and the Chartered Institute of logistics and Transport (CILT) have organised a forum on maritime and logistics.

The seminar brought together several players in the maritime industry and was under the theme: Maritime Governance for sustainable development, the role of key stakeholders.

The forum was meant to create awareness of Ghana’s maritime domain and touched on issues such as logistics, ports, women in maritime industry, fisheries and aquaculture, among others.

The General Manager, Administration of the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA), Kumi Adjei-Sam said management of the port is putting in place a modernization and efficiency drive to enhance delivery of service to clients.

He charged participants to come up with issues that will enhance the port and maritime sector.

Samuel Ntow Kumi, Corporate Planning Manager at GPHA said the port authority has put in place enough legal arrangements in order to secure and safeguard private businesses in the port.

“If it is about securing or safeguarding private investment in the port, there are enough legal arrangements in place. If you felt GPHA is taking some actions and you are convinced that it is inappropriate, it is extra judicial, or it is against the agreement, there are procedures that you can follow. I think GPHA is mindful of those things and will not take those actions because really we need the private operators to come and complement what the port is doing,” he said.

The President of WISTA Ghana, Naa Densua Aryeetey noted that the maritime industry aside playing a crucial role in the country’s economy, offers myriad of opportunities which should not be left untapped.

“The sea provides all whole host of other resources, tourism included but are we actually developing these resources to our benefits, that we can eradicate poverty, create employment and create wealth, it is therefore good for us to know what is available for us,” she indicated.