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.

Plans are afoot for the Gambia Port Authority to establish a well-functioning Dock Labour Company at the Port of Banjul.

In this light, a Gambian delegation comprising management personnel of the Gambia Port Authority, Dockworkers, and officials from their local Maritime Labour Union, has embarked on a study tour to the Port of Tema to observe how the Ghana Dock Labour Company functions.

The General Manager in Charge of Corporate Planning at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Samuel Ntow-Kummi briefed the delegation on the origins of the Labour Company, as well as the advantages and challenges of such an establishment.

He opined that “GDLC was registered as a limited liability company and supposed to operate as a non-profit organization so that any money obtained would be ploughed back into the business to enhance operations and improve the welfare of the workers. It was done with a lot of support from GPHA such as office accommodation and the provision of training.”

The Managing Director of the Ghana Dock Labour Company, Elisha Odoom further touched on the organisational structure, and operations of GDLC including the expansion of the company’s portfolio beyond port work.

He said, “we have another branch in Takoradi with over four thousand work force ranging from dockers, to machine operators to office staff, data entry and tally clerks among others. It has also become a conduit that GPHA also recruits.”

The representatives of the Gambia Port Authority said the study tour will help create a roadmap for the implementation of a Dock Labour Scheme in their country.

The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje has praised the trading community in Burkina Faso for using Ghana’s ports and corridors ahead of other francophone countries over the years.

The DG of GPHA, was speaking during a courtesy call by the Deputy Managing Director, in Charge of Support Services at the Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Agarba Patricia Badolo to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

He said, “we have competition from Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin which are Francophone and also use CFA. Despite that Ghana is number two.’’

Michael Luguje assured of the ports of Ghana’s continued delivery of reliable services to the trading community of Burkina Faso and revealed major plans by government to provide alternative cargo transport routes to serve the Sahelian regions.

“There’s already a rail that is being constructed from Tema to the Volta lake and the expectation is that we can build a small port at the lake and then build another small port in the North at the end of the river so that cargo can move from port by rail to the water and then up North. So far, studies show that if you use that route, there is a cost-advantage,” the GPHA boss disclosed.

The Deputy Managing Director in Charge of Support Services at Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce and Industry assured of continued collaboration with Ghana’s Port Authority to woo more traders to use Ghana’s ports.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has embarked on a camera upgrade project for its security department to elevate the existing technological surveillance at the Port of Tema.

The project comprises of the enhancement of the video management systems, the rehabilitation of the Camera Control Room, and the procurement of modern security equipment.

Along with these installations, about twenty (20) security personnel have undergone a two-week training to acquire the requisite skills necessary to man the facilities.

The Tema Port Security Manager, Colonel Emmanuel Nyante, during a commissioning ceremony averred that the new security facilities will inject added efficiency to security surveillance at Ghana’s biggest commercial port.

“Already there were cameras deployed all around the port but now we have more cameras. Now playbacks will be more reliable since most of the cameras have been replaced and when there’s an incident anywhere in the port it will be easy to access.”

Corporate IT Manager of GPHA, Francis Donkor said checks and controls have been put in place to ensure that abuse of the security system is impossible.

“There are adequate controls in place to make sure that footages are not leaked and even if there is any there are measures put in place to detect who actually perpetrated the act.”

The Corporate IT Manager at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Francis Donkoh has disclosed that the Authority has introduced an e-payment portal to enable clients transact business with the Authority more conveniently in a secure way.

According to him, Clients can access the portal by logging on to the Port Authority’s website, www.ghanaports.gov.gh where they can pay for all terminal handling charges either via Visa, Mastercard and even mobile money.

Speaking on Eye on Port, Mr. Donkoh said aside being able to pay from one’s home or office, transactions via this method are not restricted to the working hours of GPHA’s offices.

He revealed that, “when you key in your card details, it is encrypted. No one can see it. We also do what we call, two-factor authentication, which means payment on the platform will not be complete unless you get an alert on your phone and you authorize that. Meaning if someone gets hold of your card, without your consent, he or she cannot complete any payment.”

He said doing business electronically, saves time and money, eliminates the risk of carrying physical cash, and is COVID-19 compliant.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, he stated has also rolled out a mobile app which can be accessed on the google play store for android phones, and app store for iPhones.

The Corporate IT Manager said the app comes with four main functions which include invoice validation, agent status check, vessel tracker and invoice calculator.

He explained that this intervention solves the problem of fake invoices produced by some unscrupulous individuals to defraud clients of the port. Mr. Donkoh assured that, “with this mobile app, with the invoice number you will know exactly what GPHA is charging you.”

He said the GPHA Mobile App also provides relevant local port and maritime news and activities from the flagship Eye on Port program.

The Ghana Shippers’ Authority in collaboration with its stakeholders in the trade and transport industry has held a sensitization workshop for haulage truck drivers and owners on key issues that impact the conduct of transit trade along Ghana’s corridors.

Key among the issues discussed include road safety, the transportation of dangerous and hazardous cargo as well as the haulage truck driver’s role in avoiding unnecessary cost in the shipment of transit cargo through Ghana’s ports.

The Chief Executive Officer at the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, Benonita Bismarck in a speech read on her behalf by Fred Aseidu Dartey, Head of Freight Services said quarterly fact-finding missions embarked upon by her outfit on the transit corridor unearthed serious infractions of Ghana’s Road Traffic Regulations, Police Harassment, and Malpractices at the Axel Load Stations.

“The outcome of the latest fact finding trip which was done only last week on the Tema-Hamile corridor recorded 55 Police and MTTD stops,” he revealed.

The General Manager in Charge of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Esther Gyebi-Donkor who served as Chairperson for the programme said the reformation process of the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU), embarked on by GPHA and the Shippers Authority is intended to improve unity and effectiveness among the transport unions.

“The Port Authority will not license any transport union to operate in the Port if it is not part of the JAPTU arrangement. It is practically impossible for the Port authority and other stakeholders to deal with individual transport unions to achieve policy objectives in the operations and management of our port economy,” she averred.

She said with the Port Authority making necessary investments in the transit trade such as the construction of the truck park at Paga border, the onus lies on other stakeholders within the trade such as the truck drivers to adhere to security and operational guidelines at the ports in order to be competitive.

With the help of demonstrations, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Road Safety Authority underscored the importance of following safety guidelines for the protection of drivers, cargo, society, and the environment.

The Executive Secretary of the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU), Ibrahim Musah said the issues discussed will inure to the enhancement of their operations.

The Director of the Port of Takoradi, Capt. Ebenezer Afadzi, has stated that Ghana’s ports are committed to ensuring its human resource have the requisite capacity necessary for the delivery of world class services to its clients.

The Director of Port, who was speaking during a passing out ceremony for 72 security personnel, said it is in this light that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority organizes regular and mandatory training programs for its new recruits.

“This ceremony signifies GPHA’s commitment to uphold and fulfil its national and international obligations for ensuring world class standards of security its port facilities,” he said.

The 72 recruits successfully passed out following a month-long intensive training at the Sekondi Naval Base where they obtained the essential physical preparedness and intellectual skills for the discharge of duties as security personnel at Ghana’s premier port. Capt. Afadzi admonished the recruits to always exhibit the GPHA core values of humility, integrity and hard work introduced to them, in the discharge of their duties.

“You have been taken through drills, physical training, port security ethics and other academic courses. These in no doubt have equipped you with the requisite knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to effectively discharge your duties as port security staff,” he stated.

Steps to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Nigeria towards improved maritime security are ongoing.

67 students from the Nigerian Armed Forces Staff College have visited the Port of Tema as part of a study tour to boost information exchange with respect to trending security issues such as maritime security.

“The purpose of our visit is to research on topical issues affecting the African subregion. This year our theme is National Efforts towards Improved Regional Security,” Lt. Col. Musa, spokesperson of the group said.

Receiving the delegation, the Tema Port Security Manager, Col. Emmanuel Nyante educated the students on standard security procedures at the Port in mitigating internal and external security threats.

“The Tema Port is ISPS compliant,” he emphasized.

He also emphasized the importance of strengthened regional cooperation towards the fight against piracy that is bedevilling the Gulf of Guinea.

Principal Marketing and Public Affairs Officer at the Port of Tema, Lydia Tham, also underscored the adaptive measures adopted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and its relevant health and security stakeholders in ensuring business continuity during the advent of COVID-19.

“Our health personnel go on board, equipped fully, to take specimen of ship’s crew for testing at anchorage even before the vessel is allowed to dock in the port,” she revealed.

The Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Ethics and Good Governance at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah has called on policy makers in Ghana to enforce the international practice where goods bound for transit must be containerized.

The Deputy Commissioner who was speaking on the Eye on Port programme, said this is important for the purposes of security of cargo, proper tracking and monitoring and road safety.

According to him, cargoes slated for transit to the neighbouring countries or those under any of customs’ suspense regimes in Ghana are usually non-containerized and often reinforced with tarpaulins or other binding material subjecting it to possible manipulation.

“Most often you will see cargo on open trucks. Sometimes when they (truck drivers) leave the port, they load over the recommended height and weight so when they get to the weighbridge, they offload some to appear compliant. All this is done at the blind side of customs.”

Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah lamented that the non-implementation of this standard practice in the subregion saying it contributes to some of the malpractices and loopholes such as inaccurate cargo tracking, and cargo diversion associated with the transit trade.

The Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Ethics and Good Governance explained that cargo containers have been designed to enable easy fixing of tracking devices which promotes accurate monitoring of transit bound cargoes.

He however disclosed that the attention of the hierarchy at the Customs Division of the GRA has been drawn and hopefully some remedy would be provided by government.

He also said his outfit will strengthen collaboration with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and Road Safety Authority to ensure that laws governing the use of roads such as road worthiness are abided by in the transit trade.

He disclosed that the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with its partners from the United States of America, under the Security Governance Initiative is working towards the introduction of an e-cargo tracking system.

According to Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, the e-tracking system when deployed will provide durable smart devices with long lasting battery life that can trigger alarms during any abusive practices.

He said, “there are some which have the power to last for about two months which other jurisdictions are using. They also have devices that, at any of the intervening stations or checkpoints, you can point to the tracker and it will give you details of the declaration of the goods inside. So, if there is any tampering, it would give alerts.”

The Deputy Commissioner said the prospective e-tracking system due to its smart technology and features will serve as support to the existing trackers being deployed in the country currently.

He said a flawless cargo tracking system would inure to the benefit of all parties in the transit trade because it would lead to the decongesting of the port, secure state revenue, facilitate trade while fishing out offenders.