OTAL chairman elected head of the Ghana Shipowners and Agents Association

OT Africa Line's (OTAL) executive chairman, Alhaji Asoma Banda, has been elected chairman of the Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG). The appointment reflects his outstanding contribution to the maritime industry in Ghana and West Africa.

SOAAG was incorporated in 1993 and has the ultimate aim of providing a conducive operating climate that is responsive to the welfare of shipowners and agents as well as other related maritime institutions in Ghana. SOAAG presents a unified front to the government and industry authorities and acts as a central watchdog on all aspects of cargo handling procedures and practices.

During Alhaji Banda's acceptance speech given recently in Accra to an audience of ministers, politicians, senior civil servants and members of the Ghana shipping community, he thanked the organisation for electing him and welcomed the opportunity of supporting and leading the association as it enters a period of significant transitional change.

Alhaji Banda commented:

"It is an honour to be given the status of chairman. There are many interests to serve and many issues to take forward to improve and assist Ghana's overall prospects as a maritime hub and transport gateway to other parts of the sub-region.

"Such issues include the improvement of Tema's deepwater capacity by undertaking a major capital dredging project; developing and increasing off-port cargo facilities; encouraging global shipping lines requiring ever greater economies and efficiencies; the hubbing concept taking deeper root in West Africa; and sub-regional market protectionism and customs barriers starting to come down.

"Whilst in the chair, I hope to pursue a concerted and innovative programme for the coming year, including a new approach in our efforts to encourage wider and earlier consultation and co-operation with the GPHA, Ghana Shippers Council, Transport Ministry and Customs Authority."

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is a statutory public organisation incorporated in 1986 with a portfolio to plan, build, develop, manage, operate and control ports in Ghana. GPHA owns and operates two commercial ports, Tema and Takoradi, which were constructed in 1962 and 1928 respectively.

Tema and Takoradi have an handling capacity of 15 million tonnes which currently accounts for over 90% of Ghana's import and export trade, with average annual growth rates of 6.4% (Tema) and 30.1% (Takoradi). Today, Tema records an average turn around time of 53.4 hours (2.2 days). Tema Port also has a fishing harbour which can berth 24 vessels with an average draught of 4.5 metres.

A photograph of Alhaji Asoma Banda can be downloaded from the Dunelm PR website at: www.dunelmpr.co.uk. By clicking on the Photo Gallery option, followed by the OTAL logo, you will be taken to a page of thumbnail images. Click on the image you would like to download and follow the instructions.

The caption for this photograph reads:

"OT Africa Line's (OTAL) executive chairman, Alhaji Asoma Banda, has been elected chairman of the Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana (SOAAG). The appointment reflects his outstanding contribution to the maritime industry in Ghana and West Africa."