The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has reiterated its determination to build the Keta Port and reaffirms its decision to deliver to the expectation of the public.
Mrs. Esther Gyebi-Donkor, the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, GPHA, urged the media to support and promote the works of strategic state institutions to achieve positive results.
Mrs Gyebi-Donkor appealed to the media to contact the GPHA on issues for clarification instead of some media houses publishing one-sided stories, which in a long run ends up creating confusion in the public space.
“Let us work together in 2023 to educate and inform the public truthfully.”
Mrs. Esther Gyebi-Donkor
Mrs Gyebi-Donkor during an interview disclosed that, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority recognizes the media as a strategic partner and therefore, had opened its doors to provide them with information on its activities and operations.
“We will continue to proactively engage the media in 2023. We also expect reciprocal gestures from the media.
“As part of our proactive media engagement strategy, the GPHA will organize some training sessions to keep them well-informed on the operations of the Port.”
Mrs. Esther Gyebi-Donkor
The GPHA Director-General, Mr. Michael Luguje, described the Keta Port as a strategic project of the state, hence, the necessary procedures required for building such a facility must be followed to the letter.
“Building a port requires a meticulous process. It has a life cycle which includes feasibility studies and analysis before the actual construction, and an Executive Instrument must be signed by the President.”
Mr. Michael Luguje
According to Mr. Luguje, a lot of progress had been made including feasibility studies, stakeholder engagements, and an environmental assessment.
An advert for the expression of interest have also been published and a number of proposals received, which have been reviewed to select the best options, he said.
Appointment Of Director For The Keta Port
Mr. Michael Luguje explained that, a Director of the Keta Port was appointed to coordinate all the processes needed to get the construction underway.
“The Director of the Port of Keta, Dr. Alexander Adusei, was appointed to work with technicians and engineers from GPHA to ensure the purpose of the construction. Exactly what is in the masterplan of GPHA based on the economics evaluated, is what is being developed and nothing else.”
Mr. Michael Luguje.
The Keta port, which would be the third seaport in Ghana after the Tema and Takoradi ports, has received public bashing after the appointment of a director even though actual construction was yet to take off, he said.
Mr. Michael Luguje also revealed the designated director, Dr. Adusei was to ensure from the onset that, the Keta Port project has someone in high office who will take charge of all negotiations, monitoring the day-to-day decisions in order to bring about that massive port project into full realization.
Mr Luguje disclosed that, the management of GPHA would not be pressurized into rushing the construction roadmap.
“It took about 10 years to get the Tema Port constructed. The Tema Port was constructed small and expanded with time. We don’t have to rush the Keta Port project, there is the need to go through all the processes.”
Mr. Michael Luguje
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