Transport ministry sets up advisory board
The Minister of Transport, Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, last Tuesday inaugurated a nine-member advisory board and tasked its members to work and drive the ministry to achieve its vision of creating a safe and sustainable transport system in the country.
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The board is chaired by the minister. His deputy, Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover is a member.
Others are the Chief Director of the Ministry of Transport, Mr T.A. Selby; the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr Paul Asare Ansah; the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Mr Ebo Hammond and Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Fund.
The rest are the acting Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance, Ms Eva Mends; a legal practitioner, Mr George Kennedy Ekow Mills and Mrs Irene Messiba, a director at the Transport Ministry.
Importance of board
Mr Asiamah pointed out that the advisory board had an important role in the governance system as it was expected to provide guidance to the ministry and also enhance its relationship with its clients.
Apart from the vision to create an integrated, cost-effective and efficient transport system in Ghana, he stated that the ministry also envisaged making the country a transportation hub in the West African sub-region.
“In the pursuit of this vision, we have a responsibility to provide the right policy direction to guide the boards and management of the various agencies under the transport sector to work effectively and efficiently,” the minister added.
The terms of reference of the advisory board are to promote constant interaction between the ministry and the users of its agencies, advise the sector minister on adjustments in policy direction, planning of objectives and operational strategies and any issues relevant to the operations of the ministry.
Challenges
Mr Asiamah spoke about the challenges facing the transport sector which included the high spate of carnages on the roads, inadequate training facilities for artisans, congestion and inefficiencies at the ports and rampant boat accidents on the Volta Lake.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to support the board to function effectively and added that “my doors are open to you as a board and your constructive suggestions and criticisms are always welcome.”
On behalf of her colleagues, Ms Mends accepted the challenge to serve on the board and expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them. She further assured the minister that the board would work diligently to help achieve the vision of the government.