The Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to positioning Ghana as a leading trade and logistics hub in West Africa.
Speaking at the GPHA’s 40th anniversary celebration in Tema last Thursday, Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the milestone represented four decades of resilience, strategic vision and commitment to national development.
He said the authority was established under PNDC Law 160 in 1986, following the merger of the Ghana Ports Authority, Ghana Cargo Handling Company and Takoradi Lighterage Company under the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP).
The merger, he said, was intended to improve port management, operational efficiency and Ghana’s capacity to facilitate international trade.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah described Ghana’s ports as the “lifeblood” of the economy, noting that they facilitated international trade, supported industries and promoted regional integration.
He said successive boards and management teams had overseen significant investments in infrastructure, technology and operational efficiency, transforming the Tema and Takoradi ports into important gateways for Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.
Among the achievements, he highlighted the modernisation of port infrastructure through public-private partnerships, automation and the adoption of advanced information technology systems.
He cited the development of the 3.5-million-TEU container terminal, as well as investments in dry bulk operations and Takoradi’s natural gas and liquid export facilities.
The Board Chairman, who also represented the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, said the proposed £101 million Takoradi Floating Dock Project would enhance Ghana’s ship-repair capacity, support offshore operations and strengthen Takoradi’s position as a maritime hub.
Regional role
He also highlighted GPHA’s regional role, particularly the dedicated transit container terminal at Tema Port, which serves land-linked countries, including Burkina Faso and Mali.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah called for stronger collaboration among maritime stakeholders, including shipping lines, terminal operators, customs, freight forwarders, transport operators and investors, to remove bottlenecks, simplify procedures and improve customer service.
He said the board’s priorities for the next phase would include port expansion, green-port initiatives and the deployment of smart technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Transformation
The Director-General of GPHA, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, said the GPHA had evolved into a modern and resilient institution whose ports were critical gateways for Ghana’s economy and important maritime hubs for the sub-region.
“Today, we celebrate more than 40 years. We celebrate a journey of transformation and service,” he said.
Major General Tanye-Kulono identified improved infrastructure, technology, safety and service delivery as some of the authority’s major accomplishments.
He stressed that its people remained its greatest asset and said the next phase would focus on building ports that were “smarter, greener and safer.”
Stakeholders
The acting Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Aaron Kanor, congratulated GPHA and reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to closer collaboration.
“When a port is efficient, trade facilitation is enhanced. We do not succeed in isolation. Your success is our success,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit, also commended GPHA and other stakeholders for sustaining the ports over the years.
He, however, urged the authorities to protect strategic port lands from uses that could undermine future expansion and operations.
He also called for additional terminal capacity to accommodate growing trade volumes.
Writer’s email:
