President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana, Engr. Mark Amoamah has urged industry leaders to collaborate in addressing the sector’s challenges and drive its future growth. This he encouraged at the maiden Transport and Logistics Sector CEOs Breakfast Meeting themed “Competitiveness of Ghana’s Logistics and Transport Sector,” which brought together key CEOs, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss ways to position the sector as a core driver of national development.
Amoamah stressed the importance of stepping away from daily operational demands and fostering open, candid discussions about the sector’s critical issues. “This Breakfast meeting has been conceived as a platform where sector leaders can step away from the daily operational demands and engage in open and candid discussions on critical issues shaping our industry,” he explained.
He further stressed the need for collaboration to tackle the sector’s complex challenges. “We at CILT Ghana firmly believe that by fostering a spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst our CEOs, we can collectively deliberate on pertinent issues affecting the transport, shipping, and logistics business and investments in Ghana.”
Amoamah expressed hope that such meetings would become a regular fixture on the industry calendar, providing a space for ongoing strategic engagement. “It is our sincere hope that this Breakfast Meeting will become a regular feature on our industry calendar, a vital forum for strategic engagement and collective action,” he added.
The call for unity was timely, given the numerous challenges the sector faces, from infrastructure deficits and high freight charges to urban congestion and road safety concerns. Despite its importance in facilitating economic activities, the transport sector has struggled to reach its full potential due to these persistent issues.
It was against this backdrop that Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister for Transport, addressed some concerns. He acknowledged the sector’s difficulties and highlighted the critical role transport plays in economic and social development. “Transport plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of our society. When transport systems operate efficiently, they open up socioeconomic opportunities and benefits that result in positive multiplier effects such as better accessibility to markets, employment, and productivity,” Nikpe remarked.
However, he also pointed out the significant negative impact of inefficiencies in the transport system. “On the flip side, when transport systems struggle with capacity or reliability, they can hinder economic growth, resulting in missed opportunities and a diminished quality of life,” he added. For Nikpe, this underscored the urgency of addressing the sector’s challenges to unlock the full potential of the economy.
The Minister did not shy away from acknowledging that the transport sector in Ghana is far from fulfilling its role as an effective economic facilitator and a reliable service provider. “We are aware that the transport sector faces a number of pressing challenges and, as such, is not operating as an effective economic facilitator or a better social service for the citizenry,” he stated. Issues such as high freight and port charges, road congestion, and infrastructure deficits have continued to plague the sector.
Nikpe was clear that addressing these problems would require collaborative effort from all stakeholders involved. In his address, Nikpe also praised CILT for its role in shaping policy advocacy and professional development within the sector.
He pointed out the Institute’s significant contribution, including the training of over 6,500 logistics and transport professionals who now serve across key government institutions, including the Ministry of Transport. “CILT’s work in training professionals has been pivotal in raising standards and fostering a culture of excellence in the sector,” Nikpe stated.
