Hon. Hassan Tampuli, a Deputy Minister for Transport, has reiterated the vision of the Transport sector is to deliver an integrated, efficient, cost-effective, safe, secure and sustainable transportation system towards establishing Ghana as a transport and logistics hub within the West African Sub-region.

The Maritime Sector and for that matter Ghana’s seaports were the main gateways for international trade, accounting for over 90% of Ghana’s international trade with overwhelming effect and potential for boosting GDP growth.

“It is therefore imperative that we strive to drive improvements within the Ports to reduce transaction cost, facilitate trade and position our ports as a hub for the West African Sub-Region, particularly within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)” he noted.

Government he said, sees the private sector as partners in nation-building and their collaboration has yielded excellent results and been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of our maritime industry.

The massive infrastructural investments, coupled with other soft interventions by the Government such as the paperless Ports System introduced in 2017 and the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) are not only intended to modernize the ports and increase efficiency but also enhance competitiveness, improve shipping services and facilitate the diversification and growth of port traffic.

The Deputy Minister made these remarks when he addressed the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG).

He underscored the government's vision to establish Ghana as a transport and logistics hub within the West African Sub-region, emphasizing the significance of ongoing infrastructure expansions and technological advancements at the ports.

A major milestone Hon. Tampuli highlighted was the completion of the $1 billion Terminal 3 investment project, significantly augmenting the capacity of the Tema Port and solidifying its status as the region's premier container port. Additionally, investments in technology, including the Radio Frequency Identification Systems (RFID) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems, Scanners, Terminal Operating Systems (Navis 4), Truck Appointment Systems (TAS) and the Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) were noted as instrumental in streamlining customs clearance processes, reducing turnaround times, and enhancing overall port efficiency.

The Deputy Minister shed light on collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector, exemplified by the construction of multi-purpose and bulk cargo terminals at the Takoradi Port, alongside ongoing projects such as the Oil and Gas Services Terminal.

He outlined plans to fully automate the Tema Port, benchmarking it against global port efficiency standards while aligning duties and charges to enhance competitiveness. Commitments to implement a flat rate duty regime for spare parts importation were also highlighted, underscoring the government's responsiveness to stakeholders' concerns.

In alignment with global efforts towards sustainability, Hon. Tampuli reiterated Ghana's commitment to supporting the green transition in the shipping industry. He said initiatives such as hosting the IMO Green Shipping Conference and developing a National Action Plan on Green Shipping, showcased Ghana's dedication to fostering eco-friendly maritime practices.

He expressed his gratitude to ACHAG for the opportunity to engage and reaffirm the government's unwavering support for the development of Ghana's ports and the broader maritime sector.