Ghanaian shippers have been urged to retool their operations and align with emerging global sustainability and safety standards or risk exclusion from the world’s increasingly greener and digitally integrated markets.
Professor Ransford Edward Gyampo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), gave the advice at the maiden Blue Economy Safety and Sustainability Workshop organised by Ocean Centres Ghana, hosted by the UN Global Compact Network Ghana and supported by Lloyd’s Register Foundation.
The workshop, themed “Navigating a Safer and Greener Future: Integrating Sustainability and Safety in Port and Shipping Operations,” brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and finance to explore strategies for embedding sustainability across Ghana’s maritime value chain.
Prof. Gyampo cautioned that multinational buyers are increasingly enforcing carbon reduction standards across their supply chains, which could sideline shippers who fail to comply.
“Multinational buyers are already requiring lower-carbon logistics as part of their supply chain standards. Shippers who do not adapt risk exclusion from greener markets,” he warned.
“Sustainability measures that improve efficiency, from digitalised customs processes to modern vessel traffic systems also build resilience for exporters of goods such as food, horticulture, and fish. In logistics, resilience is the difference between profit and loss, between protection and vulnerability in foreign markets.”
The GSA Acting CEO noted that investments in sustainable port and shipping operations are not only good for the environment but also vital for long-term competitiveness.
“When Ghana’s ports and shipping operations are safe and sustainable, exporters gain confidence and market access, importers benefit from reliability, and SMEs can stay competitive despite tight margins,” he said.
Prof. Gyampo called for greater collaboration among shipping actors, emphasising that solutions must be practical and cost-sensitive. He urged agencies to overcome bureaucratic bottlenecks and work together to achieve a unified sustainability vision.
“We must reduce the practice of inter-agency silos. Collaboration, sharing data, co-designing policies, and engaging in multi-stakeholder platforms is essential to achieving sustainable maritime operations,” he added.
He also advised shippers to avoid transferring the full cost of green port fees and compliance measures to cargo owners, warning that inefficiencies and high costs could divert shipping traffic to competing regional ports.
Prof. Gyampo stressed that aligning local regulations with international conventions such as those of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) would help Ghana maintain its competitive edge as a trade hub.
“The path to a safer and greener maritime future will not be simple, but it is necessary. The choices we make now in policy, investments, and partnerships will determine whether Ghana leads or lags in Africa’s blue economy,” he remarked.
Nana Boakye Boampong, Country Lead for Oceans Ghana, highlighted that Ghana’s blue economy contributes between 6 and 7 percent of the country’s GDP.
He said the Ocean Centres initiative, spearheaded by the UN Global Compact and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, was designed to facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue on safety, climate resilience, and sustainability.
“The industry is evolving rapidly, especially with the IMO’s new greenhouse gas reduction strategy. Shipping is moving from fossil fuels to ammonia, methanol, and LNG, each with unique safety implications. We must ensure seafarer and vessel safety while meeting environmental goals,” he said.
Tolu Kweku Lacroix, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ghana, announced that seven more workshops would be held to address sector-specific sustainability challenges across the maritime industry.
“The goal is to get different stakeholders to collaborate and shape strong policy recommendations that drive a more robust blue economy. This initiative also aims to fully integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Ghana’s maritime operations,” he explained.
Beth Elliot, Director of Strategic Communications at Lloyd’s Register, added that ocean workers face growing risks from extreme weather and needed better training and mental health support as part of the sustainability drive.
The workshop underscored that sustainability is no longer an option but a business necessity.
“Efficiency, collaboration, and safety are the new currencies of competitiveness,” he said.
“The sooner Ghanaian shippers understand this, the sooner we can secure our place as a trusted gateway for West Africa.”
