How to Become a Freight Forwarder in Ghana (2023)

Ghana, one of the coastal countries in Africa has a coastline that stretches 560km on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

This makes Ghana one of the top places for professionals like freight forwarders to thrive.

If you plan on becoming a freight forwarder in Ghana and you’re looking for the steps to take and the requirements you will have to meet to become one, then you’re on the right page.

This article will serve as a guide to help you become a freight forwarder in Ghana and help you excel in the business.

Freight Forwarder in Ghana

Who is a Freight Forwarder?

A freight forwarder is a person or company that handles the transportation of goods for individuals or corporations from one destination to another. Freight forwarders do not move the goods, instead, they act as intermediaries between the shipper and transportation service.

They negotiate with various carriers on the cost of transportation and on extra services as required by the client. They also decide on the most economical and fastest route for transportation.

Freight forwarders are expected to be extremely knowledgeable in the elements of supply as their job is to make the import and export of goods easier and less stressful for the client.

Below are is the list of services required of freight forwarders in Ghana

Customs Clearance
International and import documentation
Insurance
Packing
Storage
Inventory management

How to Become a Freight Forwarder in Ghana

There is no straightforward way to becoming a freight forwarder in Ghana. This is due to the fact that certain people have pursued different careers before ending up in a shipping company. After several years of gaining experience in the company, they went ahead to open their own freight forwarding business.

But if you hope to become a professional, then you’ll have to get the proper education and get licensed by the Government of Ghana to operate as a legitimate freight forwarder in Ghana

Below are the right steps to take to become a freight forwarder in Ghana

Get the Right Education

As a freight forwarder, you will need to be educated on the various elements of the supply chain. The best place to get such education is at the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.

Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders

The Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders is a non-profit organization established in August 1985 to handle the training of individuals in the freight forwarding business and to promote quality services in the logistics industry.

It was initially named the National Association of Customs House Agents (NACHA). The institution maintains strong links with the Government, parastatals and other organizations that influence the logistics industry.

Members of the organization can access these links and stay ahead of other individuals in the industry that are not part of the institute. If you wish to successfully run a freight forwarding business, then it is a must that you become a member of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders.

Courses in the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders

Higher Diploma Course

GIFF/FIATA HIGHER DIPLOMA COURSE IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

The Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management Course is offered by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA). This course is suitable for individuals aspiring to enter the freight forwarding business.

Upon completion of the course, the individual will be awarded the FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management and the GIFF Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

The course covers areas on the main elements of supply chain management. Below are the areas covered in the course;

Procurement Management
Strategic Management
Production & Operations Management
International Transport Management
Supply Chain Management
Financial Management
Global Marketing
Business Law
Human Resource Management
Entrepreneur Creativity

Requirement For This Course.

To study this course you’ll have to meet one of the following requirements

Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with a minimum of 2 years of employment
Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with University degree or diploma
Possess a degree or diploma from a reputable university.

Course Duration

The duration of the course is 1 year.

Course Fees

GIFF Members GH¢ 2,500
Non-GIFF Members GH¢ 3,000
International Trainees GH¢ 3,500

Diploma Course

THE GIFF/FIATA DIPLOMA COURSE IN INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT FORWARDING

This course covers general freight forwarding topics applicable in all modes of carriage.

Upon completion of the course, the individual will be awarded the FIATA Higher Diploma in International Freight Forwarding and the GIFF Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

Below are the 14 areas of focus in the course.

Introduction to Freight Forwarding
Maritime Transport
Multimodal Transport
Sea Containers
Air Transport
Road Transport
Rail Transport
Inland waterway Transport
Customs Procedures
Logistics & Warehousing
Transport and Liability Insurance
ICT in Forwarding
Dangerous Goods
Safety and Security

Requirements For This Course

To study this course you’ll have to meet one of the following requirements

Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with a minimum of 2 years employment
Be employed in a freight forwarding firm with University degree or diploma
Possess a degree or diploma from a reputable university.

Course Duration

The duration of the course is 1 year.

Course Fees

GIFF Members GH¢ 2,500
Non-GIFF Members GH¢ 3,000
International Trainees GH¢ 3,500

Certificate Course

The GIFF Certificate Course covers freight forwarding theory and practice. Below are the modules in the course

Introduction to freight forwarding
Introduction to logistics
Introduction to transportation
Introduction to customs procedures
Business communication
Statistics and business mathematics

Requirements for the Course

School Certificate, BECE, and NVTI

Course Fees

GIFF Members GH¢ 1,300
Non-GIFF Members GH¢ 1,500
International Trainees GH¢ 1,800

Join International Freight Forwarding Organizations

As seen above, the GIFF offers several privileges to its members by reducing their fees and offering links to potential clients. It will be in your best interested to become a member of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders before you start the course.

You should also become a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders to increase your chances of becoming successful in the global landscape.

Get Licensed

Once you’ve gotten your certificates and memberships, you can then get licensed by the government so as to operate as a registered freight forwarder in Ghana.

Without the license, your business will be considered illegal.

Connect

The next step is to connect with individuals and organizations. Platforms like GIFF and FIATA already provide you with access to clients, so all you have to do is step up your marketing and communication skills so as to get clients.

Those are the necessary steps to take to become a freight forwarder in Ghana.

Prices Ghana