The federal government is to develop a coastal water transport system alongside the coast, according to the Nationwide Transport Coverage goal of selling different and sustainable mass transport techniques.
The recruitment course of to pick out a marketing consultant to conduct a feasibility research for the challenge is sort of full.
Deputy Minister of Transport Dorcas Affo-Tofi introduced this on the seventh African Ports Discussion board 2026 in Accra.
The discussion board was a part of the federal government’s imaginative and prescient for the event of Ghana’s ports and maritime sector.
The Deputy Minister stated: “Once we look throughout the Gulf of Guinea, we do not simply see water; we see the lifeblood of our nationwide financial system.” Greater than 90% of Ghana’s worldwide commerce takes place by sea, making Ghana’s ports not simply transit factors, however vital gateways by means of which the nation’s transformation and reset can happen. ”
Madam Affo-Toffee, who can be Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency within the Western Area, stated: “As we speak, below the management of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Authorities of Ghana’s imaginative and prescient for the maritime sector is obvious, daring and clear: to place Ghana as West Africa’s main, best, protected and sustainable maritime logistics hub.”
He stated: “To attain this, we’re selling a complete agenda centered on modernizing buildings, decreasing prices, strong safety, sustainable use of assets and rising the blue financial system.”
“Our imaginative and prescient begins and is rooted within the improvement of vital infrastructure that matches the calls for of contemporary world transport. Certainly, His Excellency the President lastly commissioned the primary two phases of the $1.5 billion Tema Port enlargement challenge in November final yr. It is a monumental milestone achieved by means of the strategic partnership of Meridian Port Providers (MPS) and GPHA,” she added.
Madam Affo-Toffee defined: “By means of this partnership, we’ve got created one of the vital superior deepwater berths in sub-Saharan Africa.” The enlargement has decreased vessel turnaround occasions and elevated container throughput at Tema Port.
24 hour financial system
“A key pillar of the federal government’s reset agenda is the 24-hour financial coverage, and according to this coverage, the Port Authority is totally deploying the 24-hour working mannequin,” he stated.
“Commerce by no means sleeps, so neither does our gateway. Takoradi Port is likewise being developed to place itself as a significant service hub for oil and fuel and a significant bulk cargo terminal, guaranteeing that pure useful resource exports are dealt with with world-class effectivity.”
He added: “There isn’t any disputing that Ghana’s maritime imaginative and prescient extends far past its deep-sea ports.”
“We’re constructing an built-in community that connects our coastlines, inland markets and landlocked neighbours. I’m due to this fact happy to focus on that by means of additional partnerships with the personal sector, we’re inching nearer to the deliberate rollout of coastal maritime transport providers linking Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria,” she stated.
The lawmaker additional added: “To take full benefit of the financial potential of our unique financial zone (EEZ), the federal government intends to develop a coastal water transportation system alongside our coast.”
Growth of Boankra Inland Port
Madam Affo-Toffee stated: “Authorities is dedicated to expediting the completion of the Boankura Built-in Logistics Terminal (BILT) Venture Kumasi.
“As soon as accomplished, this challenge will act as an financial booster, bringing port providers nearer to northern Ghana and cementing our enviable status as a pure transport hall for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger below the framework of the African Continental Free Commerce Space (AfCFTA) Secretariat, which we proudly host right here in Accra.”
She stated: “As a significant maritime hub within the West African area, we’re leaving no stone unturned to digitize our ports.” Whereas the continuing implementation and rollout of cutting-edge techniques, such because the migration to a complicated AI-driven customs and threat evaluation platform, might in some instances face vital challenges, we wish to reassure trade individuals that we’re actively working with GUTA, carriers and clearers to handle all implementation challenges. ”Solely by doing so can a sturdy system be developed. We be sure that expertise doesn’t act as a barrier to professional enterprise, however as a substitute acts as a bridge to fight corruption and pace up detection. ”
“With out safety and environmental administration, the maritime sector can’t prosper. I’m happy to have the ability to say that within the space of maritime safety, Ghana has achieved 100% compliance with the Worldwide Ship and Port System Safety (ISPS) Code. It has been upgraded to an expanded capability of 200 nautical miles, permitting for surveillance past the horizon. To curb incursions and defend native fishermen, the Ghana Maritime Authority is totally deploying personnel and assets, together with rescue vessels and patrol boats, for operations in inland waterways,” she defined.
Madam Affo-Toffee stated: “In keeping with World Maritime Requirements and the United Nations Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs 13 and 14), Ghana is actively working in the direction of a inexperienced transport hall. We’re strengthening rules on marine plastic air pollution and exploring investments in cleaner different fuels to make sure that our ocean development doesn’t come on the expense of marine ecosystems.”
