Invest in ports - GPHA Director advocates
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA), Mr Richard Anamoo has called for cooperation among ports authorities in Africa.
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Speaking at the opening session of a conference and an exhibition for Ports and Habours West Africa in Accra on Monday, Mr Anamoo said such a cooperation would ensure that ports in Africa fully develop their capacity to be able compete in the global economy.
He stressed the need for significant infrastructure investment in both port and inland logistics capabilities in order to satisfy the projected demands of some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
He said with the huge growth in trade throughout West Africa, and the projected future growth, an upgrade in infrastructure at the various ports in West Africa in particular and Africa in general to handle greater volumes and larger vessels was important.
There has been an increased congestion in African ports which has been affecting ship turnaround time and according to Mr Anamoo addressing those challenges was critical in harnessing trade and investment.
"With the growing interest in African economies as global economy continue to expand, sufficient capacity is needed. There must be investment and reinvestment in infrastructure, while ensuring port development were in tandem with developments in the hinterlands to ensure an effective logistics chain", Mr Anamoo noted.
The three day conference put together by the International Quality and Productivity Authority (IQPC) in collaboration with the GPHA is being attended by representatives from 20 port authorities across Africa.
Representatives from the Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also participating in the programme.
Participants would during the three day conference discuss port construction and expansion challenges faced by governments and the way to overcome such challenges.
They would also identify solutions and innovative equipment capabilities which would ensure port infrastructure and transport networks were efficient and equipped to the highest standards.
Mr Anamoo noted that while port development needed massive investment, Ghana had made progress with the $1.8billion investment at the Takoradi and Tema Ports.
Kenya, he said have also initiated $25.5 billion in the Lamu Port and New Transport Corridor Development to Southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Cameroon, Nigeria, he said have all rolled out similar redevelopment and expansion projects to ensure they actively participate in the global trade.
"Strong maritime institutions must be vibrant in the exchange of views and ideas", Mr Anamoo stressed.
Private Involvement
Mr Anamoo also emphasised the need for private public partnership in development and operation of port infrastructure across the continent.
He expressed the hope that the roadmap to be outlined at the end of the programme would chart a new course in port operations across the continent.
Transport Ministry
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms Joyce Bawa-Mogtari in a keynote address called for proposals from participants in the development of new technologies that would improve productivity at the country's ports.
She also called on participating countries to outline modalities on the development of lake transport across the continent to ensure trade becomes less expensive among member ports.
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