Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, was awarded at the just ended maiden Ghana Shippers Awards for his outstanding work in crusading against corruption.
His explosive investigative work at the Tema Port in 2011 brought major changes in port operations and brought to the fore the loopholes through which the nation was losing millions of Ghana cedis. He was excited that his hard work at the port has been recognized and called on government not to relent in its effort to sanitise port operations and make it more transparent to help attract investors into the country.
The investigative journalist on the night also had an award named after him and he personally presented to West Blue Consulting, The Anas Aremeyaw Anas Award for Transparency. The award which will be an annual affair, is given to an individual, organization or institution implementing innovative initiatives that promotes transparency and accountability in the Shipping industry. The award winner must be seen as an inspiration to the anti-corruption movement because their actions echo a common message; corruption can be challenged.
Over 20 companies won various awards with McDan Shipping and BenMarine Services Limited winning three awards apiece. Other companies that won awards on the night include GCNet, WestBlue Consulting, Swissport Ghana Limited, Air Ghana, Ghana Airport Company Limited, Transglobal Logistics, Aramex, Amaris Terminal and Nestle Ghana Limited.
The top ten most transparent shippers for the year 2016 were also recognized with GOIL being the most transparent shipper. Other companies that made the list are Vivo Energy Ghana Limited, Total Petroleum Ghana Limited, Star Oil Company Limited, Zen Petroleum Limited, Dangote Cement Ghana Limited, Royal Bow Company Limited, Wilmar Africa Limited, Olam Ghana Limited and B 5 – Plus Limited.
The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah was optimistic that the awards will motivate industry to lift up their game and also deliver quality service to clients. He reiterated government’s commitment to support projects that will uplift the image of the shipping industry on the international scene and was going to do so through public private partnership.
Ms Benonita Bismarck, CEO of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority in her brief speech said the awards cuts across road transportation, ocean carriers, air transportation, freight forwarding, shipping agents, express services, courier agencies, government agencies, insurance and financial institutions, and provides a platform to recognize individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry while recognizing the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability.
Speaking to the press after the awards, Latif Abubakar, CEO of Globe Productions,organisers of the awards, expressed great satisfaction and congratulated winners and all nominees for the feat chalked. He was hopeful the awards will go a long way to increase the healthy competition in the industry.
Below is a list of winners of the Ghana Shippers Awards – 2017
ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS TRANSPARENCY AWARDS – WEST BLUE CONSULTING
COURIER SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR- ARAMEX
BREAK BULK OPERATOR OF THE YEAR – GMT SHIPPING
AIR FREIGHT SOLUTION PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – AIR GHANA
SEA FREIGHT SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING AGENCIES LIMITED
AIR CARGO CARRIER OF THE YEAR – TURKISH AIRLINE
FREIGHT FORWARDER OF THE YEAR – BAJ FRIEGHT
EXCELLENCE IN HSEQ AWARD – GHANA AIRPORTS COMPANY LIMITED
EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY – MCDAN SHIPPING CO. LTD
PROMISING FREIGHT FORWARDING COMPANY OF THE YEAR – TRANSGLOBAL LOGISTICS
PROMISING CEO OF THE YEAR – DR. KOFI AMOAH-ABBAN
TERMINAL OF THE YEAR – APM TERMINALS GHANA LTD
BRAND OF THE YEAR – MCDAN SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED
TRADE FACILITATION COMPANY OF THE YEAR – GCNET
LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING AGENCIES LIMITED
REPORTER OF THE YEAR – KEN MORNAH (THE NEW MARITIME & TRANSPORT DIGEST and STARR FM)
FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – GUARANTY TRUST BANK
MARITIME & LOGISTICS INSURER OF THE YEAR – STAR ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED
CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD – DAMCO LOGISTICS GHANA LIMITED
CEO OF THE YEAR – DR. NORTEY OMABOE, GCNET
EXPORTER OF THE YEAR – BARRY CALLEBAUT GHANA LIMITED
IMPORTER OF THE YEAR – TOTAL PETROLEUM GHANA LIMITED
SHIPPER OF THE YEAR – NESTLE GHANA LIMITED
SHIPPING LINE OF THE YEAR – MAERSK LINE
SHIPPING AGENT OF THE YEAR – GRIMALDI GHANA LIMITED
GROUND HANDLING – AIR CARGO OF THE YEAR – SWISSPORT GHANA LIMITED
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – DR. DANIEL MCKORLEY – MCDAN SHIPPING
EMERGING BRAND OF THE YEAR – DAMCO RIGWORLD
BULK DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR – BULK OIL STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION CO. LTD
PRODUCT INNOVATION OF THE YEAR – OMNI BANK (OMNI CARGO)
MARITIME MEDIA PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR – EYE ON THE PORT
INDIGENOUS MARINE COMPANY OF THE YEAR – BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED
DOMESTIC COURIER SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – BLUE CHIP
PROMISING TERMINAL OF THE YEAR – AMARIS TERMINAL
PROMISING LOGISTICS COMPANY OF THE YEAR – DAMCO RIGWORLD
PROMISING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – BERNARD LOMOTEY AGBLOE (BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED)
HAULIER OF THE YEAR – APEX SHIPPING & COMMERCIAL CO. LTD
PROJECT/HEAVY LIFT FORWARDER THE YEAR – JONMOORE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
PROMISING MARINE SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – BENMARINE SERVICES LIMITED
MARINE SERVICE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR – SEA AND SHORE LIMITED
NATIONAL CHAMPION – SHIPPING, PORT POLICY& REGIONAL MARITIME POLICY REFORMS – MR. MAGNUS TEYE ADDICO
STRATEGIC CHAMPION – SHIPPER SERVICES AND INT. MARITIME LEGISLATIVE REFORMS – DR. KOFI MBIAH
PORT SECTOR REFORMS AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT CHAMPION – MR. BEN OWUSU-MENSAH
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING AND PRIVATE SECTOR CHAMPION – ALHAJI ASUMA BANDA
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD – GHANA PORTS AND HABOUR AUTHORITY
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD – GHANA MARITIME AUTHORITY
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD – GHANA AIRPORTS COMPANY LIMITED
ANTI CORRUPTION CRUSADE – ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS