The Acting Director-General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje, has disclosed that cargo traffic through the country’s two seaports grew by 20% in 2018 compared to same period 2017.
“We have seen our cargo traffic grow and the statistics indicate that we have a growth of at least 20% above that of 2017,” he disclosed at a thanksgiving service in Tema.
That notwithstanding, he indicated strongly that the GPHA will continue to instil confidence in the shipping community for more progress to be achieved in 2019 business year.
Mr. Luguje stated that ongoing projects in the ports of Tema and Takoradi, some of which will be inaugurated in the course of the year, will position the country’s ports for more success.
He said: “Whilst we are preparing to open up our infrastructure to accommodate more business, it instils a lot of confidence in the business community to sign on Ghana as their destination for import and export.
So, we trust that next year by this time, we will be meeting with better results to present.”
According to the GPHA boss, a lot of progress have been achieved in terms of infrastructure development in both Ports of Tema and Takoradi.
“We are also making quite a lot of progress in the area of our infrastructural development projects in Tema and Takoradi.
A lot of progress is being made, 2019 is going to see at least some of the projects being commissioned for operations both in Tema and Takoradi Ports,” he said
The thanksgiving service brought together staff of the Port Authority as well as representatives from several other stakeholder organisations who operate in the port and maritime industry.
Director of Tema Port, Edward Kofi Osei, in his welcome address, emphasized the need for all staff of the Authority to show gratitude to God for his faithfulness.
“We as GPHA management, we don’t want to be the nine lepers, we want to be that one that came to say thank you. Indeed, it is great to be alive this day and for us to see the end of one year and the beginning of another year. Let us sing and praise the Lord for he has really done wonders for us,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Tema Port, Sheikh Laberan Salifu Barry in his message highlighted the need for forgiveness as the vehicle of progress and growth.
“Before a good or reputable organisation can achieve its aims and objectives, there must be the concept of forgiveness. The concept of forgiveness in very fundamental and critical to our existence,” he said.
Source: BestNewsGH.com
