BY: Daniel Orlando | Voltaonlinegh.com |

Police officers in the Volta Region underwent specialized training on transit trade, organized by the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in a day-long sensitization workshop held in Ho on Thursday, November 9, 2023.

The initiative, according to the authority, is a vital component of ongoing efforts to elevate the professionalism of law enforcement officers, aimed to amplify transit trade activities on the nation’s trade routes.

During the workshop, Ms. Benonita Bismarck, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, in a speech delivered in her behalf, underscored the significance of such training for police officers. She emphasised the objective of promoting and facilitating transit trade, and its positive impact on the economy and socio-economic development.

Highlighting the evolution of Transit Trade as a substantial aspect of Ghana’s seaborne trade, Ms. Benonita stressed the potential for increased figures if police officers engage with transit truck drivers more professionally. The quantifiable services provided by various operators in transit trade contribute over Ghc408 million cedis to the national economy.

Commending the continuous collaboration between the Ghana Shippers’ Authority and the Ghana Police Service in securing the nation’s transit corridors, Ms. Benonita urged deployed police officers to ensure professionalism in their interactions with truck drivers, aiming to minimize delays and avoid harassments that contribute to increased shipment costs.

Fred Asiedu-Dartey, Head of Freight and Logistics at the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, expressed concerns about the impact of numerous police checkpoints on transit trade. While essential for ensuring safety, these checkpoints often result in undue stops, leading to alleged monetary extortion and negatively affecting the success of transit trade along Ghana’s transit corridor.

Addressing these challenges becomes crucial for making Ghana more competitive in the sub-region, Mr. Asiedu-Dartey stated and urged police officers deployed along the corridors to act as ambassadors of transit trade, recognizing its role as a significant source of revenue for national development.

Among participants were personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Regional Police Command, who are mandated to ensure safety, law and order on the roads.

Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com