The Western Regional Minister, Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah has expressed his readiness to partner with Port Authorities to address the issue of the decline in traffic at the Takoradi Port.
The expression of the commitment followed fruitful discussions held with the leadership of the Takoradi Branch of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) on Monday, 5th June 2023 to map out strategies to address the issue.
The discussion centred on efforts to ensure that the Takoradi port remains competitive within the West African sub-region and generates revenue to support government’s operations.
Since June 2022, Ghana’s ports have recorded a decline in cargo throughput. Data from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) revealed a drop of about 15% to 17% in cargo throughput between January and September 2022.
The phenomenon had not changed appreciably as at the first quarter of 2023. Measures are consequently being implemented to change the trend in the second half of 2023.
During the visit to solicit the Regional Minister’s support to complement ongoing efforts to address the issue, the Takoradi Branch Manager of the GSA, Mrs. Agnes Asamoah-Duku said strategic interventions are needed to entice more vessels to the Takoradi port.
Dr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah assured the GSA team that, he was ready to assist since a positive outcome from such an intervention would not only ignite profitable economic activities in the region, but would also increase government revenue.
He declared his willingness to actively contribute to the efforts to revitalize the Takoradi Port to enable it to attract higher trade volumes.
He said that he would among others, participate in the sensitization workshops by the GSA as well as its advocacy on behalf of shippers in the region.
Mrs. Asamoah-Duku expressed gratitude to the Minister for his commitment to addressing the issue of decline in port traffic at the Takoradi port.
She used the opportunity to inform the Minister of the impending sensitization campaign of shippers in the region on the role of key stakeholders in reducing the cost of doing business at the Port of Takoradi.
