Transport Minister inaugurates sector agencies boards
The governing boards of three agencies under the Minister of Transport have been sworn in, with a call on the indivisual members to bring their expertise to bear in resetting the development trajectory of the sector.
The three agencies are the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL).
The GPHA board is chaired by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, a former Member of Parliament and currently the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; while Jemilat Jawulaa Mahamah and Okogyeman Kweku Gyamprah III chair the boards of the GMA and MMTL respectively.
Other members of the GPHA board are Brig. Gen. Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono; Mabel Asi Sagoe; Tebon Zumah; Capt. James Richmond Quayson; Prof. Ransford Edward Van Gyampo and Stephane Abbas Meizan, all members.
The rest are Adam Imoru Ayarna, Ebenezer Perry Ellis and Dan Abdul-Latif, all members.
For the GMA, the other members are Dr Kamal-Deen Ali; Richard Fedieley; Dr Eric Cobbinah; Rear Admiral Godwin Livinus Bessing; Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo and Dr Patrick Essien, all members.
The rest are Brig. Gen. Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono; Prof. Ransford Edward Van Gyampo; Stephen T. Adjokatcher; Adam Imoru Ayarna; Catherine Dela Dzivenu and Esther Gyebi-Donkor.
The MMTL has Kale Cezar; Eric Tetteh Addision; Ebow Quayson; Kojo Adu-Asare and Sylvia Naa Kwakai Nyante as members.
The rest are Anne Judith Agbodo, Rita Essien and Abdul-Samad Fatimah Gomba.
GPHA
The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, who swore in the boards, said taxes on transit cargo, high shipping line cost and demurrage charges, multiple state agencies involved in port procedures and processes leading to high cost of doing business at the port were some of the challenges at the ports.
He added that addressing those challenges were of high priority to government, and urged the board of GPHA to prioritise the restructuring of the management of the seaports of Tema and Takoradi to embrace the landlocked port concept.
The minister further urged the board to enhance transit trade with GPHA’s involvement in the provision of security in the corridor and the elimination of all forms of barriers and harassment, and to explore private sector partnerships to develop the Keta Port as a complementary petroleum products delivery hub while reducing the cost of doing business at the ports.
“President (John) Mahama has high confidence in your respective expertise, capabilities, and experiences, and it is his expectation that you will bring your rich experiences to bear to support the resetting agenda of government,” he added.
MMTL
For the MMTL, the minister explained that over the years, the company had faced several challenges, including a significant reduction in its operational fleet, frequent breakdowns, and rising operational cost.
He consequently asked the board to address the dwindling fleet situation, help the company to regain its market share, and expand its services.
“In doing so, the board should be guided and ensure that, as much as practicable, the needs of persons with disabilities are taken into account in the planning and design of its infrastructure and vehicles,” he said.
Mr Nikpe underscored the need for the MMTL to be positioned to play a leading role in the electrification of the public transport sector as outlined in President Mahama’s policy document for the sector.
He, therefore, urged the board to work closely with management to explore innovative financing options for fleet acquisitions and the deployment of charging infrastructure, while maintaining the company’s optimal operational level.
GMA
The minister further called on the GMA Board to ensure the provision of safe, secure, and efficient shipping services and the protection of the marine environment from ship source pollution.
“Undoubtedly, an efficient and robust maritime sector, complemented by enhanced infrastructure and efficient operations, would incentivise players in the maritime sector to operate 24 hours, with the potential to positively impact other sectors of the Ghanaian economy,” he said, adding that the ministry expected the board to provide guidance to management of GMA towards achieving the safety, security and environmental mandate of the authority.
