Ms. Benonita Bismarck, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority ( GSA), has retired from the Authority after a distinguished tenure.
Ms Bismarck’s tenure spanned a remarkable seven-year period from June 2017 to November 2023 with her dedicated service making the climax of an impactful era in the Organisation’s history.
She inspired the revision of the Authority’s 5-year Strategic Plan (2019 – 2023) and directed its implementation, culminating in the achievement of remarkable outcomes that have not only benefitted shippers (importers and exporters).
It 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.
Ms. Bismarck had been a vocal advocate for the interests of shippers, representing their concerns at national and international platforms, a news brief from the Authority said.
It said she played a pivotal role in establishing a branch office in Tamale, strategically advancing the Authority’s commitment to a nationwide coverage.
Her visionary leadership was particularly instrumental in overseeing the vigilant monitoring of the country’s transit corridors in the northern sector.
Through that initiative, Ms Bismarck not only expanded the organisational footprints, but also ensured a comprehensive and impactful reach in optimising shipping operations across the entire country, the brief said.
It said under her leadership, the Authority launched the ShippersApp to provide instant shipping information and services to shippers and the public.
To support trade facilitation, the former CEO’s 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
Those achievements had been variously acknowledged, key among was the 2023 Public Enterprises League Table Awards organised by the Ministry of Public Enterprises in collaboration with the State Interests and Governance Authority,
The brief said the Authority placed seventh on the League of Best Performing Public Institutions and Second for the Agencies under the Ministry of Transport.
The Authority also picked up a number of awards, including: Trade Facilitation Company of the Year 2020, 2021 and 2023 (Ghana Business Awards), and Best Company in Supporting Health Institutions and Facilities 2021 (Sustainability and Social Investment (SSI) Awards).
Others are the Most Responsible Government Regulator of the year 2021 (Responsible Business and Leadership Excellence Awards), and Public Sector Company of the Year 2021 (Ghana Business Awards).
On the personal front, Ms. Bismarck’s impactful leadership had been duly acknowledged.
The awards recognised her ardent role in leading the GSA in making major interventions in addressing concerns of shippers in Ghana and contributing to trade facilitation.
Some of the awards are Woman of Excellence (Public Sector) Award 2020 (Ghana Business Awards), Most Outstanding Female in Corporate Social Responsibility (Business Executive Magazine Limited) and Ghana Women of Excellence Awards in honour of her contribution to National Development development (Top Brass Ghana).
Others are CEO of the Year in the Public Sector (Ghana Business Awards), Gold Business Leadership Award 2021 (Ghana Business Leaders Excellence Awards),
Female Personality of the Year 2022 (Sustainability and Social Investment) and Outstanding Public Sector CEO of the Year 2022 (Entrepreneurs Foundation of Ghana).
The rest are Integrity-Driven CEO of the Year 2022 (African Public Service Awards by Instinct Wave), Sustainable Shipping Steward of the Year 2022 (Rad Communications) and Outstanding Woman in Public Service 2023 (Rad Communications)
The brief said the Authority expressed gratitude to Ms. Bismarck for her invaluable contributions and particularly, her strong leadership that had helped the Authority in navigating through challenges and steering it towards greater heights.
Stepping into her role is Mr. Kwesi Baffour Sarpong as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
He possessed a robust background in energy sector trends, market analysis, operations management, business development, supply chain, contract management, and project coordination.
Mr Baffour’s wealth of expertise and diverse skill set would usher in a new chapter of dynamic and strategic leadership for the Organisation, the brief said.
GNA
