The Port Journalists Network, an association of specialized journalists in Ghana’s port and maritime sector, has paid a courtesy call to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the first of its kind since the formation of the network.

The Team deliberated with management representatives of the Port Authority, on the direction of the association, key objectives, and their general concerns.

According to the Team Lead, Elvis Darko, the network is embarking on such visits to key stakeholders within the port and maritime sector to foster the necessary relationships towards the goal of promoting public knowledge on the port business.

He said the Port Journalists Network is also committed to building its capacity, increasing the depth of their coverage so as to provoke positive change in policies governing the industry.

“If Ghana is to make maximum benefit from AfCFTA, it will depend on the success of the maritime industry in Ghana, and therefore it is important that we bring the issues that are affecting the maritime industry to the attention of policy makers and demand actions and answers from these policy makers so that Ghana as a country can derive the necessary benefits from AfCFTA,” Mr. Darko articulated.

General Manager in Charge of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at GPHA, Esther Gyebi-Donkor, said the initiative to assemble for the collective goal of promoting Ghana’s Port and Maritime industry is a laudable one for which the Port Authority is happy to associate with.

She urged the group of journalists to endeavor to increase their scope in the industry so as to churn out more informative and authentic reportage going forward.

The Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe has encouraged the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority to continue to position its operations to maintain profitability, as it operates, manages, and develops one of Ghana’s key assets, the ports.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to management of GPHA, the Minister stated that it is the President’s vision to see to the sustenance of public enterprises, hence the creation of the Ministry of Public Enterprises to provide an ownership and governance structure to these corporate bodies.

He said, “for the first in our history, the President is bringing the same structure we see in the private enterprises and aligning that with the state enterprises.”

The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, Michael Luguje revealed the strides taken by the Port Authority in partnership with the private sector to put in place the necessary port infrastructure comparable to world class standards despite financial constraints.

He said that “if you go to the advanced countries, government advances money for all the basic port infrastructure like dredging works, quay walls and breakwaters, the reclamation of land and other basic marine works. In our part of the world, given the constraints of government, the Port Authority must generate its own resources for all these functions.”

The delegation from the Ministry were briefed further on GPHA’s operations and plans for the port sector.

The Human Resource Manager at the Port of Takoradi, Peter Amo-Bediako has hinted that the Port might be migrating from an export driven Port to an import driven one.

He said this could be achieved after the completion of the massive expansion works being undertaken at the Port of Takoradi.

Peter Amo-Bediako who also has an oversight responsibility for the Marketing and Public Affairs department at the Port of Takoradi cited the ongoing construction of the Atlantic Terminal Services, which is a multi-purpose container terminal as the game changer.

“With the coming onboard of ATS it is not going to be easy but it is something worth going up for,” he said.

Speaking on the Live Eye on Port interactive programme, he said the Port of Takoradi aside having the capacity to handle imports also has the requite modern equipment to handle all types of cargo.

“The liquid bulk jetty is an example of marine loading arm that facilitates the quick loading of cargo we have two modern harbor cranes with the capacity 220 tons. So we have all the equipment ready.

The Director and Chairman IBISTEK and Atlantic Terminal Services Limited, Kwame Gyan Esq. lauded the private public partnership arrangements between GPHA and IBISTEK which has seen the completion of an offdock terminal called TACOTEL, the liquid bulk terminal, and the ongoing construction of the Atlantic Terminal Services.

“The success of IBISTEK in Ghana is not only because we are efficient, it also because GPHA has an institution has been very supportive of our endeavors in Takoradi. We will fall and they will raise us up not because they were bending the rules to favour us but GPHA always was saying these are Ghanaians and let us give them an opportunity to prove themselves,” he said.

He revealed that upon completion, the Atlantic terminal could receive huge vessels with 20,000 or more TEUS.

Kwame Gyan Esq said contrary to criticism that IBISSTEK is a local company, hence, does not have the capacity to undertake the capital intensive Port business, that argument is without merit because they have proven their critics wrong.

“We hired one of the best marine contractors in the world. We hired Royal Haskoning which if not the best is among the best Supervisors or consultants in the world. With these and our own skills we were able to put this together. So this myth about capacity has been shuttered,” he stated.

Kwame Gyan Esq revealed that even before the completion of the multi-purpose Atlantic Terminal Services Ltd, a lot of shipping line giants have expressed interest in using the Port of Takoradi as their hub.

“All the giants in the shipping industry are knocking at our doors because of the particular advantage Takoradi has in this subregion. So the big guys are trying to partner with us to use Takoradi has their hub.

He was optimistic that after all the expansion works, a lot of jobs will be created for Ghanaians.

Peter Amo-Bediako added that a lot of businesses have also sprang up as a result of the expansion of the Port of Takoradi.

Kwame Gyan Esq said local companies when given the needed opportunity will be able to undertake and deliver Port projects and monies made will stay in the country.

“Apart from paying off our loans there is no net repatriation of cash,” he said.  

Peter Amo-Bediako stated that the Port of Takoradi presents several opportunities and said investors are welcome to partner with GPHA.

“There is the opportunity for investors to partner with GPHA and succeed,” he stressed.

Over the last 10 years, he averred that there have been significant developments to improve port operation to have its attendant impact on goods and services on the market.

He said the construction of the dry bulk jetty when completed will do away with the double handling of manganese, bauxite and clinker at the Port.

He was also optimistic that the expansion works at the Port will reduce the waiting time of vessels at the anchorage.

He revealed that the half year of 2021 has seen some increase in the handling of some cargo as compared to same period 2020.

The Port of Takoradi has received a historic vessel call, the first of its kind in the 93 years’ history of the Port.

The vessel with the name GOLDEN SPRAY is the largest ever vessel to call the Port of Takoradi with LOA of 300m.

She came from Singapore to loadout 203,500MT of Manganese to China.

The vessel, which was received at the anchorage is a testament to the safe anchorage of the Port of Takoradi and management’s commitment to employing integrated strategies to ensure quality and cost efficient service delivery to its clients.

The 2020/2021 National Service batch of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has donated a water storage facility to the Kpone Methodist Basic School.

The school has a water closet facility but students are unable to use it due to lack of water for over 2years.

Making the presentation, the President of the2020/2021 National Service batch, Lincoln Divine Yao Mintah said the National Service personnel were touched by the plight of the school and decided to donate the water storage facility as a way of ameliorating the plight of the school amid the covid pandemic.

The Headmistress of the Kpone Methodist Basic School, Juliana Asante Sarpong commended the service personnel for the gesture and promised that the water storage facility will be put to good use. 

“I will like to express my gratitude to GPHA and the entire National Service Personnel for this donation and I want to assure you that the water storage facility will be used for the benefit of the entire school,” she said.

A passing out ceremony for 75 Fire Brigade recruits of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority who will be working in the Port of Tema has been held at the Fire Academy Training School in Accra.

The recruits comprised 19females and 56males. They were taken through hydraulics, chemistry of combustion, pumps and primers amongst others in the 4-week training and demonstrated their skills in some operational drills.

The Chief Fire Officer in a speech read on his behalf by the DCFO Edward Ashong, Director of Human Resource and Training said the training has boosted the confidence of the new recruits and thus will enhance their overall performance.

“Ahead of you lies years of service to the people of this great nation. For you to be successful, continue to remind yourselves of the 8 cardinal points of a fireman.  I wish all of you good health with a bright future,” he said.

The Director of Port of Tema, Sandra Opoku was optimistic the new recruits will be able to discharge their duties in a professional manner to safeguard the Ports of Ghana.

“We continue to equip our Fire and Safety department with the appropriate equipment and augment our staff while sparing no effort in ensuring that our newly recruited firemen receive the requisite training to enable them discharge their responsibilities efficiently. And we need a diligent joined up approach to safety to prevent both large scale disasters and smaller accidents that can be just as tragic for those affected by them,” she said. 

The Director of the Port of Tema, Sandra Opoku has entreated the security personnel of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority to remain committed to security training programs organized by the Port Authority so as to maintain the high level of security Ghana’s ports are known for.

The Director of Port said this during a passing out ceremony held for new recruits for the security department of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority.

“as you may be aware Ghana’s ports are well known to be the most secured within the west African subregion. Our focus as a Port Authority is facilitating trade in a safe and secure Port environment. This training was designed to equip you with the necessary skills to conduct your duties in a diligent and professional manner, she said.

She said it is even more imperative for the Port Authority to tighten its security in accordance with the demands that come with increased maritime crime in the West African sub region.

“in recent time, threats of terrorism and piracy is rife and on the rise within the subregion and this requires that you exhibit vigilance, hard work and commitment towards duties at all times,” she stated.

The 291 new recruits undertook a four-week standard military orientation training at the Army Recruit Training School at Shai Hills in the Greater Accra Region.

Over the period, the recruits were taken through basic but comprehensive military craft that encompasses physical training, drill, map reading, first aid, search procedure, operational security, detection of improvised explosive devices, port related subjects among others.

The DP of Tema thanked the Commanding Officer and staff of the Training School for transforming the recruits into qualified security officers.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah together with his two deputies, Hassan Tampuli and Frederick Adom have paid a 2day working visit to the Port of Takoradi, Axim and Dixcove fishing landing sites.

The purpose of the visit was to inspect expansion works at the Port of Takoradi and also introduce his deputies to the Management of the Port.

He inspected the liquid bulk terminal which was commissioned last year by the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Mawumia, the dry bulk jetty as well as the ongoing construction of the Atlantic Container Terminal.

He expressed optimism that the Port of Takoradi will soon become the port of choice in the west African subregion.

The Minister revealed that due to the change in engineering, the first vessel would call the Terminal by the end of December.

Earlier, the Minister and his entourage visited the Axim and Dixcove fish landing sites where works are progressing steadily.

In Axim, 2.5hectares of land has been reclaimed from the sea and a breakwater of 500meters long has also been constructed.

A portion of the reclaimed land would be used by the fisher folks and the other portion for future development.

In Dixcove, a 150-meter break water has been constructed to prevent sea erosion and destruction of canoes by the waves.  A key wall of 50meters has also been constructed to aid in the loading and offloading of fish by fishermen.

The Minister of Transport said but for the covid-19 Pandemic, the construction would have reached an appreciable level. That notwithstanding, the Minister said he was very impressed with works on both the Axim and Dixcove fish landing sites.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has officially introduced his two deputies to the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority which is an agency under the Ministry.

The deputy Ministers, Hassan S. Tampuli and Frederick Obeng Adom are to assist the Minister deliver on the President’s vision for the transport sector.

Addressing management of GPHA, the Transport Minister called for the support and co-operation of the Authority to enable him give directives that will enhance the profitability and progress of the Authority.

“It’s my responsibility to give directives and without support and cooperation, I cannot give that directive. Let us all try to work together”, the Minister urged.

The Director-General of GPHA, Michael Luguje pledged the commitment of management of the Authority in ensuring that there is a fruitful relationship between the Ministry and the Authority.

“We will continue to do the best that is required of us and also work with the ministry to ensure that government’s program for the port sector is attained and well executed.”

The delegation which also included the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mabel Sagoe toured the Port of Tema where they were brifed by the Harbour Master, Captain Francis Kwesi Micah.

They also proceeded to inspect the progress of work at the MPS Terminal 3 where the construction of a fourth berth is ongoing.

A delegation from the Ministry of Finance has held a sensitization workshop with top management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority on the Public Private Partnership Act and the Public Investment Management Regulations introduced in 2020.

This program forms part of a nationwide sensitization program to provide information to State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on the rights, guidelines and due processes necessary to stay within the legal boundaries for procurement and infrastructural investment.

Lead at the Infrastructure Sector of the Public Investment and Assets Division at the Ministry of Finance, Daniel Yeboah Forson outlined some of the new modules entrenched in the regulations.

He stated that “the Law mandates GPHA to set up what we call the Public Investment Unit to help develop and prepare their project ahead of time. As a government entity they need this training to ensure that the P.I Unit will know what the functions and roles they need to play when it is set up.”

Mr. Yeboah-Forson said, implementation of these laws, will help state agencies like the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to adequately prepare, secure funding, cut cost and complete projects within projected timelines.