African countries have been advised not to lose out on the potential for maritime trade in boosting their economies since as they grow, there will be huge demands for both import and export gods from them to the rest of the world.
This was stated by the Minister for Transport, Hon. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah at the 20th Intermodal Africa Conference and Exhibition in Accra.
The conference which was organised by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), brought together experts in the maritime industry to discuss issues relevant to the development of trade, explore trade opportunities in the Middle East, managing safety, security and risks, and how to shape the next generation port and create economic values through port investments and expansion.
He said Ghana has put in place plans and programmes that will help make its ports more competitive and establish and maintain a maritime hub within the sub region.
Kwaku Ofori Asiamah noted that “we have therefore commenced major infrastructure upgrade and expansion works, including the development of four dedicated container terminals at Team Port that will be in a position to handle 3.5 million TEUs annually and capable of receiving the deep draft ships.”
The first phase of these projects he indicated, will begin by the end of the second quarter of 2019.
According to him, since trade volumes will increase considering the growing export market, government is pursuing the development of dry port at Boankra as a way of decongesting the Team Port and to facilitate transit trade to landlocked countries.
He said: “Government is also developing 85 kilometres of railway to link the Tema Port to the Akosombo Lake. This project, for now, would serve as the main intermodal facility for the transport of goods from the port by tail and connect via the lake to the Northern part of the country. “
The minister also enumerated that effective collaboration with government in finding solutions to issues facing the sector and how to overcome the challenges that will come along with the maritime boom, will ensure seamless integration of the continent.
Also, the Managing Director of Transport Events from Malaysia, Mr Roy J. Doyle, in his remarks said globalisation is driving the core of business across the world and that there is every need for Africa countries to build relations that create strategic business plans which would create opportunities and ensure growth.
By: PROSPER AGBENYEGA