In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV, Professor Ransford Gyampo, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), offered an in-depth explanation of his appointment, previous reluctance to take public office, and his evolving role in national development.
Though better known for his academic work in political science, governance, and leadership, Prof. Gyampo revealed that his appointment as GSA boss on January 30 was not a matter of political favoritism, but one of preparedness and prior engagement with maritime issues.
He disclosed that he once led a research project on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea — a collaboration with the University of Copenhagen — which spanned several years and resulted in multiple high-impact academic publications.
“Maybe God knew I would one day be asked to head the Shippers’ Authority,” he mused.
“As a researcher, I embraced the challenge and immersed myself in the field. So it’s not surprising that I’ve ended up here.”
Bernard Avle suggested that Gyampo’s early appointment by President John Mahama indicated a level of pre-election planning and trust.
Though the professor hesitated to assume what the president was thinking, he admitted the timing was significant. “You cannot be unready in perpetuity,” he said, referencing his past decisions to decline similar offers.
“For years, I stood outside and subjected regimes to strict scrutiny,” he continued. “But when you constantly critique and offer suggestions, it makes sense for a responsible leader to say, ‘Come in and help.’”
