Government to complete Boankra Inland Port project
The government has pledged to ensure the completion of the Boankra Inland Port project in the Ashanti Region.
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The Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, gave the assurance when he visited the project site last Wednesday as part of his working visit to the region.
Already, he said, the government had received about four proposals from some investors, adding that “we are studying them and very soon we will settle on one for work to start”.
The minister said because the project was dear to the President, a consultant had already been appointed to study the scope of work done.
According to him, the government would not allow the investment made in the project so far go to waste, for which reason, it was determined to complete the work.
Benefits
The minister noted that the project held a lot of prospects for the country and the people in the community.
He mentioned the reduction of pressure on roads as landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger would not have to travel all the way to Tema to cart their goods.
Mr Asiamah added that it would open up the area for more economic activities and also create jobs for the youth.
According to him, there would also be opportunities for operators in the hospitality industry and other service providers to set up businesses for the transiting drivers.
Resolve
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), the initiators of the project, Ms Benonita Bismarck, said the authority had sunk lots of money into the project and would, therefore, not let it go to waste.
She said already, the administration block which had not been in used since it was constructed, was fast deteriorating.
Ms Bismarck said the authority had fulfilled all its obligations to the landowners by rebuilding schools which were pulled down to pave the way for the project.
According to her, “there are no outstanding issues as far as the land is concerned and we have duly paid all compensations”.
Background
Former President Jerry John Rawlings cut the sod for the construction of the project at Fumesua in 1996 but due to litigation over the land, the project had to be moved to its current location at Boankra where work formally began in 2001.
It is expected to link the ports of Tema and Takoradi to the northern and landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali and also ease congestion at the ports, especially the Tema Port.
The project is not only expected to boost economic activities but also create employment, ease transportation congestion and reduce the high cost of transporting goods and services up north on the roads.
It is being executed by the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) in partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Located on 400-acres, the project is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and also facilitate the development of Boankra and its surroundings towns.