The Director of the Ports of Keta, Dr. Alexander Yaw Adusei Jnr, has intimated that feasibility studies being conducted into the construction of the Keta Port will be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Dr. Adusei Jnr pointed out that the feasibility studies were a necessary evil because of its scientific analysis that would look into all relevant economic, technical, legal, and social factors that concerns the project.
He further elucidated that the studies would afford the Port Authority the needed information on the likelihood of completing the project successfully in line with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) masterplan.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Adusei stated that GPHA would be able to draw a clear course for the construction of the Keta Port after fully assessing reports from the feasibility studies.
Touching on the involvement of other Ministries, he disclosed that after the completion of studies in February 2021, relevant Ministries such as Ministry of Roads and Highways, and Railways Development would be engaged due to the essential role they played in the value chain of such a development.
He, however, revealed that although the global pandemic created some obstacles to the smooth progress of the feasibility studies, consultants on the project had been able to redesign their mode of operation, and had continued all relevant research, and engagements.
“Even with COVID-19 interrupting us, we have managed to get our consultants to engage stakeholders through the telecommunication platforms and physically as well.”
In furtherance of proving commitment, Mr. Adusei disclosed that the consultants would soon arrive in Ghana to resume physical engagements with relevant stakeholders to complete their studies.
Assuring local and foreign investors, he posited that the GPHA would then open itself up for tangible offers from potential investors for the construction of the Keta Port indicating that, a lot of companies had shown interest in developing the facility.
The Director of the Port of Keta further revealed the significant purpose of the Port projecting that, when the Port of Keta was completed, it would serve as an agribusiness hub for Ghana and complement the nation’s efforts in embarking on an aggressive industrialization agenda that would serve as a springboard for a Ghana that is beyond aid.
Underpinning the core principles of the project, Dr. Adusei hinted that an infrastructure such as a port would open up opportunities for investment into the agribusiness, and manufacturing industry for the Volta basin of Ghana which he said was blessed with enormous agricultural potential.
He further revealed that the Port of Keta, would also open up investments into the exploration, and exploitation of mineral resources that the Volta basin was endowed with, and that, he noted, could significantly augment Ghana’s export potential as well.
“We believe that, once you have a major port in that area, those industries would spring up themselves and you would have investor interest. Because they know for sure that coming there, they would have other antecedent projects.”
