Mr. Stephen Adjokatcher, President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), has been elected Vice President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) — the global body representing freight forwarders worldwide.

The election took place at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam, during the FIATA World Congress 2025, held from 6th to 10th October.

Mr. Adjokatcher’s election marks a major milestone not only for Ghana but also for the African freight forwarding community, as he brings decades of experience, leadership, and innovation to the global logistics arena.

Competing against 13 other candidates from countries including India, Italy, Colombia, Vietnam, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Iran, Chinese Taipei, and Egypt, Mr. Adjokatcher emerged victorious, securing one of the federation’s most influential leadership positions.

In his acceptance remarks, he expressed gratitude to the newly elected FIATA President, Mr. Thomas Sim from Singapore, and the Director-General, Mr. Stephane Graber, for their confidence in him and pledged to work tirelessly to address the challenges confronting the global logistics and transport industry.

“The world is experiencing rapid changes in supply chain dynamics, digitalisation, and sustainability expectations. As Vice President, I am dedicated to collaborating with stakeholders worldwide to develop practical, future-oriented solutions,” he said.

“Together, we must ensure that the freight forwarding industry remains resilient, efficient, and inclusive amid global disruptions.”

Even before his election, Mr. Adjokatcher had already played a key role in linking the Togolese Association of Customs Brokers (Union Professionnel des Agrés en Douane du Togo – UPRAD TOGO) with FIATA, thereby enabling Togolese freight forwarders to benefit from the opportunities and resources of the international body.

An astute freight forwarder with several decades of experience, Mr. Adjokatcher is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Santa Shipping Company.

This year’s FIATA World Congress, themed “Green and Resilient Logistics”, convened over 1,000 leaders from the logistics and transport industries across 100 countries, providing a platform to discuss sustainability, innovation, and the future of global trade.

Speaking to the media after his election, Mr. Adjokatcher expressed deep appreciation to the delegates for the trust reposed in him and promised to serve with dedication and integrity. He also extended heartfelt thanks to his GIFF colleagues who accompanied him to the Congress for their unwavering support, which contributed to his successful election.

Under his leadership, GIFF has spearheaded regulatory reforms, capacity building, and digital transformation in Ghana’s freight forwarding industry. His international perspective and deep understanding of regional logistics challenges have made him a respected advocate for emerging economies in the global logistics space.

For nearly a century, FIATA has served as a global convener for logistics professionals and innovators through its flagship FIATA World Congress (FWC). The annual event — typically held between September and October — gathers 700 to 1,000 participants from logistics, transport, and cargo sectors, alongside institutional observers and policymakers, to discuss industry trends and solutions.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, FIATA represents over 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms worldwide. Mr. Adjokatcher’s election as Vice President signifies a renewed commitment to broadening regional representation and strengthening collaboration in shaping the future of global trade logistics.