The visit was basically to enable the Gambian delegation get first-hand information about the operations of Gambia Institute of Freights Forwarders (GIFF) and Ghana Revenue Authority, as well as learn best practices in addressing illegal ports charges, among other ports related matters affecting trade facilitation.
The visit was also designed to enhance bilateral relationship between the two associations in various areas of ports cooperation.
Upon arrival in Ghana, the Gambian delegation was received by GIFF, who later led the delegation on a conducted tour of their ports facility.
Shortly after returning from Ghana trip, Modou Sowe, secretary general of ACCFA, described the trip as a successful one and that they were really impressed with what they saw there.
“The recent Gambia trip to Ghana was a success for the fact that we were exposed to many areas and if implemented in The Gambia, would help boost our revenue performance and cost effective.”
Sowe spoke highly of the operational standards in Ghana, further stating that ‘when walking through their ports facility, you don’t see agents loitering until a container are going out of the ports.’
He said that the availability of a facility at the ports where emergency machines are kept in case of emergency is what impressed him most.
He thanked the Chief Executive Officer SMG Dryport, Hadim Gai for his immense contribution to the association in ensuring the successful hosting of GIFF in The Gambia.
He disclosed that Ghana has three main ports and each port has its own responsibility in the discharge of cargoes and containers among other terminal handlings.
For his part, Essa Wally, president of ACCFA expressed similar sentiments, further promising to help facilitate easy coordination and exchange of best practices between members of ACCFA with the Freight Forwarders Association in Ghana.
