The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), Benonita Bismarck has retired after seven years of service at the helm of the authority from June 2017 to November 2023.
In her absence, Mr. Kwesi Baffour Sarpong assumes the position of the new Chief Executive Officer. Benonita Bismarck concludes her dedicated service, making the culmination of an impactful era in the organisation’s history.
During her era as CEO, she brought her wealth of knowledge and rich experience in the shipping industry to bear in the prosecution of the organisation’s mandate. She inspired the revision of the authority’s five-year strategic plan (2019 – 2023). She directed its implementation, culminating in the achievement of remarkable outcomes that have benefitted not only shippers (importers and exporters) but also improved cooperation and collaboration among key stakeholders including government agencies, industry players and international partners, enhancing Ghana’s position in the global shipping landscape. Bismarck has been a vocal advocate for the interests of shippers – representing their concerns on national and international platforms.
She played a pivotal role in establishing a branch office in Tamale, strategically advancing the Authority’s commitment to nationwide coverage. Her visionary leadership was particularly instrumental in overseeing the vigilant monitoring of the country’s transit corridors in the northern sector. Through this initiative, Ms. Benonita Bismarck not only expanded the organizational footprint but also ensured a comprehensive and impactful reach in optimizing shipping operations across the entire country.
Under her leadership, the Authority launched the ShippersApp, to provide instant shipping information and services to shippers and the public. To support trade facilitation, her tenure saw the completion and inauguration of the Elubo Freight Park in the Western Region and the Hamile Freight Park in the Upper West Region
She played a pivotal role in facilitating the development of the GSA electronic system which has for over the past six years, played a critical role in enhancing trade facilitation and improving transit trade along Ghana’s transit corridors.
Her remarkable leadership has won her several recognitions including being adjudged as the Outstanding Woman in Public Service at the 2023 Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards held in Nairobi Kenya.
