The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has welcomed the Sierra Leonean Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mrs. Princess Dugba, who paid a courtesy call to discuss collaboration, knowledge-sharing in the maritime sector and have a technical familiarisation tour of the Tema port.
Hon. Bukari Nikpe, in welcoming the delegation, highlighted Ghana’s efforts to strengthen its transport sector, particularly in the integration of the rail, marine and road transport modes to facilitate the efficient movement of goods and resources, while stressing that no country can achieve sustainable development without improving its transport system.
He emphasised the importance of African countries working together to find home-grown solutions to challenges confronting the continent, noting that Ghana remains open to sharing its experiences and expertise with sister countries.
“We have to find solutions to our problems within Africa and not anywhere else,” the Minister said.
The Minister described the relationship among West African countries as one of shared friendship and cooperation in advancing the interests of their people.
Hon. Bukari Nikpe reiterated Ghana’s own efforts to learn from other African countries, citing his interest in understanding how successful transport systems in the sub-region have been developed and sustained. He said such exchanges were essential to strengthening regional integration and supporting the movement of people and goods across borders.
Mrs. Dugba, on her part, explained that they were on the visit because Sierra Leone was currently developing an industrial port at Black Johnson with grant support from the Government of China, which includes a jetty, fish market and waste-management infrastructure, among others.
She noted that the management of the new industrial port would be critical to ensuring that Sierra Leone derives maximum benefit from the project, particularly as various manufacturing activities were expected to take place around the facility.
Mrs. Dugba mentioned that her visit to Ghana was to learn from the country’s experience in port management and development and apply relevant lessons from Ghana to Sierra Leone. She stated that it was important for African countries to learn from one another and share expertise.
She further noted the strong educational and institutional links between the two countries, particularly through the Regional Maritime University and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to deepening Ghana-Sierra Leone cooperation.
Mrs. Dugba was assured by the Minister for Transport of Ghana’s openness to collaboration, noting that the country considers its transport institutions and facilities part of a broader regional system to serve the people of West Africa.
Assuring Mrs. Dugba of Ghana's openness to cooperation, the Minister for Transport emphasised that the country's transit institutions and networks were built to serve as a regional system for West Africa.
Also present at the meeting were the Chief Director for the Ministry of Transport, Mr. William Kartey, the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Marine Resources of Sierra Leone, Hon. Ahmed Saybom Kanu, the Permanent Secretary of Transport for Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leonean Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mohammed Hassan Kaisamba.
