GIFF re-elects Eddy Akrong as president at 24th AGM

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF) has re-elected Edward Akrong as president of the institute for a second in office at the 24th Annual General Meeting of the Institute.

Eddy Akrong polled 326 votes out of a total valid vote of 559 ahead of his contender and former 1st Vice-Chair of GIFF, William Tuckson who had 233.

The institute also elected one of its council members from the Takoradi District, Paul Kobina Mensah as 1st Vice President. The former chairman of the Tema District of GIIF, Alex Asiamah won the 2nd Vice President position. John Adu Jack, also a Council Member of GIFF won the National Treasurer position.

The two-day event which was themed “Embracing Change Management, a prerequisite for the survival of the Freight Forwarder in the new normal” was held at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.

The well-attended event featured seasoned practitioners & experts in finance and investment, freight logistics and international trade practice including Prof. Issah Baluch of Harvard Kennedy School, Emmanuel Ohene, assistant commissioner of customs in charge of suspense regimes, Wallace Akondor, former commissioner of customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and Paul K. Mantey, MD, EDC Investments Ltd (Ecobank) who exchanged ideas on the future of freight forwarding in Ghana and how forwarders can embrace the new normal in global transport and logistics.

Prof. Issah Baluch of Harvard Kennedy School recounted the many changes that have characterized the transport and logistic supply chain in the past two decades and charged the forwarders to embrace, Science, Technology and Innovation to remain dynamic and relevant in the chain.



The head of suspense regimes of Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Emmanuel Ohene assured the freight forwarders of very close collaboration in the coming years and bemoaned the laidback attitude of state agencies towards freight forwarders. He acknowledged the important roles of the freight forwarder without which the job of the customs division is virtually non-existent but tasked the freight forwarders to adapt to professionalism and eschew unscrupulous behaviors.

Wallace Akondor, a former commissioner of Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority advised state agencies to work towards eliminating impediments in the ways of freight forwarders as brokers in order to enhance efforts aimed at Trade Facilitation in Ghana.

The re-elected President of GIFF, Eddy Akrong promised to unite the freight forwarding fraternity to create a formidable front to address all issues confronting the industry for effective Trade Facilitation.

His contender, William Turkson assured him and all freight forwarders of his immense support in executing his two-year mandate.