Minister incharge of Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has announced Government’s efforts in improving and developing the transport sector of the country.
Hon. Kwaku mentioned that Ghana’s two main ports namely Tema and Takoradi are currently being modernized and well positioned to become the leading container hub and beacon of trade and industry in West Africa sub region.
He explained that, at the Tema Port, the construction of four dedicated container terminals to respond to the increasing volumes and address infrastructure deficit is currently underway adding that, the first two berths of 16 meters draft will be completed and operationalized by the end of the 2nd quarter this year.
Hon. Kwaku Ofori revealed that, the Takoradi port is also to have a facelift with the development of a Multi-Purpose Container Terminal by a Ghanaian owned Company ibistek at a cost of US$450 million and for the first time in the history of the country, Ibistek a wholly owned Ghanaian company has been engaged to develop this landmark project.
The Minister, in an address with the press at a Meet-The-Press series held at the Ministry of Information, acknowledged the efforts of his outfit in bringing remarkable improvement and transformation to Ghana’s transport sector. According to him, his outfit has engaged in several interventions to help facelift the transport system in the country.
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah cited Government’s plans to revamp the Tema Shipyard and Drydock which has been in a deplorable state in previous times, stating that, through the assistance of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, some operational equipment was procured for the shipyard.
According to the Minister, measures have also been put in place to improve the safety and livelihood of the communities along the Volta Lake, revealing that, construction and rehabilitation of ferry landing sites and facilities along the Lake are ongoing at the Dambai and Dambai Overbank, Yeji, Mekango and Agordeke and works are progressing steadily.
The Honorable Minister also revealed that Government is working tirelessly to ensure the enactment of requisite legislation to improve the maritime sector. According to him, the Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport is taking steps to some draft legislations which include the Ghana Shipping (Carriage of Containers) Regulations, 2018; Ghana Maritime Authority (Fees and Charges) Regulations, 2018; Ghana Shipping (Cabotage) Regulations, 2018.
Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah also informed the Press that an additional amount of GHc6.5million to the National Road Safety Commission to address road safety issues and also tackle the predominant factors that contribute to road crashes in the country.
According to Him, the National Road Safety Commission has completed the construction of eight Emergency Response Centers at the Asuboi, Bunso Junction, Asankare and Juaso on the Accra-Kumasi Highway; Toje (near Kasseh) and Nogokpo on the Accra – Aflao Highway; Okyereko and Apam Junction on the Accra – Takoradi Highway to enhance capacity for response of victims to road traffic crashes.
The Minister incharge of Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah also pointed the massive automation operations of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) as a major development in the Road Transport Service Sub-Sector. He stated that this has led to a new work flow to reduce fraudulent practices, revenue leakage, and effective and efficient service delivery.
By: Gerrard-Israel
