By Jon Walden, Senior Logistics Manager, Greenshields Cowie, Greenshields Cowie & Co. Ltd
SubscribeGreenshields Cowie (freight forwarding and logistics subsidiary of Crown Agents, the international development company), in association with leading trainers, Peter East Associates, launched the first in a series of courses covering the issues of air cargo security and safety.
A four-day course covering The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air followed by a one-day presentation on Air Cargo Security was held at Novotel Accra between 4-8th August 2003.
This was the first time that public courses on these subjects have been conducted in Ghana, and the air cargo community warmly received them. Indeed, the first courses proved a sell-out and following this success further courses are being held in Accra between 9 and 12 March 2004. Greenshields Cowie anticipate rolling out similar courses in East Africa later in the year.
The movement of air cargo has become increasingly regulated and those handling dangerous goods at any stage in the transportation cycle are required under IATA regulations to successfully attend a certification course. Up until now individuals required to attend such courses have had to travel to the UK or South Africa to do so, adding considerably to the expense of qualification.
Jon Walden, Operations Manager of Greenshields Cowie, stated, ‘We are delighted to have teamed with Peter East Associates to deliver these essential courses in Ghana. Air safety is paramount and, ultimately, can only be achieved by an ongoing process of training, education and qualification. We intend to programme regular courses in Ghana to enhance the professionalism and qualification of all those involved in the air cargo industry. The endorsement of our courses by the Director, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority is most welcome and underlines the commitment of the regulatory authorities’.
The course will be delivered by Mr Graham Smith, one of the foremost trainers in this field, and is being administered by Crown Agents Ghana Ltd.
Some of the delegates at last year’s courses in Accra
