The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has commissioned the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre of Excellence to produce highly skilled professionals to drive the growth and transformation of the transport and logistics sector in the country.
The centre, commissioned at the university's campus in Accra, seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry and to serve as a hub of research, executive education, professional certification, policy development and industry collaboration to strengthen one of the country's sectors.
Named after transport and logistics entrepreneur, Dr Joseph Kweku Horgle, the facility recognises his decades of contribution to the country's petroleum haulage industry and his commitment to professionalism, safety and operational excellence.
The event brought together government officials, industry players, academics, students and members of the business community.
Among those present were the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor; the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu; the Chancellor of UPSA, Dr Kofi Kodua Sarpong; Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, and Dr Horgle, the Founder and Executive Chairman of J.K. Horgle Transport & Co. Ltd.
Strategic investment
Ms Affo-Toffey said the establishment of the centre was a strategic national investment that would help professionalise the country's transport and logistics industry and improve the country's competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
She said that although transport and logistics remained the backbone of the country's economy, the sector continued to face critical skills, data and coordination gaps that affected policy implementation and operational efficiency.
She explained that efficient transport systems remained essential for trade, job creation and economic growth, adding that investing in human capital was just as important as investing in infrastructure.
"Our competitiveness as a country will depend not only on the quality of our infrastructure but, even more importantly, on the quality of our people," she said.
Ms Affo-Toffey encouraged transport companies, petroleum marketing firms, development partners and financial institutions to partner the centre through internships, scholarships, research funding and mentorship programmes.
Bridging the gap
The Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, said the centre was conceived in response to the country's need for a professional workforce that can support Ghana's growing transport and logistics industry.
He said the university intended to use the centre to generate practical research, develop industry-focused programmes and strengthen collaboration between academia and practitioners.
Prof. Mawutor commended Dr Horgle for funding the research activities of the centre and assured him that UPSA would ensure it achieved its intended objectives.
He explained that the country's position as host of the AfCFTA Secretariat, coupled with the operations of the Tema and Takoradi ports, presented enormous opportunities for transport and logistics professionals.
The Vice-Chancellor further said the university had already established a collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to enable interested students to undertake professional driver training on campus before graduation.
The Director of the Centre, Prof. Samuel Antwi, said students graduated with professional driving skills to honour Dr Horgle's passion for defensive driving and road safety.
