Accra: Mr. Dominic Eyiah, President of the National Association for Heavy-Duty Equipment Operators Ghana (NAHEOG), has highlighted the necessity for Africa's logistics future to emphasize resilience, safety, and adaptability, especially amid global supply chain disruptions, climate shocks, and increasing trade demands. He asserted that speed alone is insufficient for sustaining economic growth on the continent.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Eyiah emphasized that maintaining equipment to global standards, training operators to anticipate risks, and treating safety as a productivity factor are crucial. He delivered these remarks at the 9th graduation ceremony for forklift and mobile crane operators in Accra, themed 'Accelerating Africa's Economy with an Improved Logistics Industry.' The event, organized by NAHEOG in collaboration with the Regional Maritime University (RMU), saw 27 mobile crane operators and 16 forklift operators graduate, adding to over 400 students who have completed the program since its inception.
Mr. Eyiah described logistics as a critical yet often overlooked driver of economic development, noting that while efficient logistics might go unnoticed, failures can paralyze entire economies. He stated that the disparity between prosperous and struggling economies is primarily determined by logistics performance rather than resource availability or ambition. Inefficient logistics can inflate the cost of goods by up to 50%, while improved logistics reduce costs, enhance productivity, and bolster investor confidence without extra resources.
He further explained that logistics should be viewed as a strategic advantage rather than a mere support function. The role of heavy-duty equipment operators was described as the 'hidden backbone' of logistics systems, essential for transforming infrastructure investments into tangible economic outcomes. Mr. Eyiah noted that despite the focus on technology and automation, skilled professionals remain pivotal to the smooth functioning of supply chains.
Mr. Eyiah stressed that speed without resilience renders supply chains fragile, with a single accident capable of halting an entire chain, whereas a well-trained operator can prevent such disruptions. He remarked that the certification of graduates marks a transition from informal operations to professional, global logistics standards, showcasing Africa's readiness to provide reliable supply chain services akin to any region worldwide. He urged the graduates to view their roles as integral to Africa's economic future, highlighting that safe and responsible operations reduce costs, increase capacity, and build trust in African supply chains.
Dr. Jethro W. Brooks Jnr, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of RMU, asserted that the event signifies not just the completion of training but the commencement of the graduates' roles as key contributors to Africa's economic transformation. He emphasized that logistics remain central to trade, industrialization, and regional integration across the continent. The Ag. Vice Chancellor encouraged the graduates to uphold professionalism, discipline, and safety as they enter the industry, congratulating them on their perseverance and urging them to drive efficiency and innovation in Africa's logistics sector, crucial to the continent's economic future.