The Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has officially launched the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The Centre is to promote professional training, research, innovation and stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government to support a safe, efficient, integrated and sustainable transport system for Ghana.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Madam Affo-Toffey said the establishment of the Centre demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s transport and logistics industry through knowledge-driven solutions, research and professional capacity development.
She described the initiative as a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to build a modern, innovative and globally competitive transport and logistics sector.
She noted that Ghana’s transport sector is undergoing significant transformation and requires skilled professionals, innovative ideas and evidence-based policy interventions to meet growing national and international demands.
“The launch of the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre is timely and strategic. It provides a platform for developing the human capital and research capacity needed to support a transport system that is safe, efficient, integrated and sustainable,” she stated.
The Deputy Minister emphasized that the Centre will serve as a hub for professional training, cutting-edge research, innovation and policy dialogue while fostering stronger collaboration among academia, industry players and government institutions.
“Transport and its related activities form the backbone of Ghana’s economy, logistics I s the invisible engine of trade, job creation and food security, yet there are challenges such as skills gap, data gap and coordination gap”, Madam Affo-Toffey added.
According to her, partnerships between universities, policymakers and the private sector are essential to addressing emerging challenges in transportation, logistics and supply chain management, especially in the context of rapid technological advancements and regional trade integration.
She expressed confidence that the Centre would contribute significantly to producing highly skilled professionals equipped with practical knowledge and innovative solutions to drive the country’s economic growth.
Madam Affo-Toffey also commended UPSA for its commitment to academic excellence and for taking the initiative to establish a centre dedicated to advancing transport and logistics education and research.
She urged stakeholders in the transport industry to take advantage of the Centre’s programmes, research opportunities and collaborative initiatives to improve service delivery, operational efficiency and policy development across the sector.
“There are few Ghanaians trained in modern transport planning, fleet management, and supply chain analytics who drive transport policies and its implementation”, the Deputy Minister added.
The Jomoro MP said “there is a data gap where policy is often made without evidence from the field. There is a coordination gap between the among academia, government and industries”.
The J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre has been established to promote professional education, research, innovation and strategic partnerships aimed at supporting Ghana’s transport and logistics ecosystem. The Centre is expected to provide a platform for developing industry-focused solutions, influencing policy formulation and preparing professionals capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly competitive global transport environment.
The launch brought together government officials, academia, transport and logistics professionals, industry stakeholders and students, who described the Centre as a significant investment in the future of Ghana’s transport sector.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the Centre would play a leading role in shaping transport policy, advancing research, promoting innovation and producing the skilled workforce required to support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development and position the country as a regional hub for transport and logistics excellence.