GPHA urged to reclaim leased lands to tackle port congestion

By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo

Tema, Aug. 28, GNA – The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has urged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to reclaim lands whose leases have expired and develop them into additional terminals to address growing congestion at the Tema Port.  

Mr Samson Asaki Awingobit, the Executive Secretary of the IEAG, said the increasing volume of cargo expected to enter the country in the coming months required urgent expansion of port infrastructure and cargo-handling facilities.  

Mr Awingobit observed that the situation had become critical, as the port was already overwhelmed with cargo, with containers, trucks and residents in surrounding communities bearing the brunt of the congestion.  

He made the call at the launch of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the GPHA.  

“From where I sit, our port has grown to the extent that we are overwhelmed with cargo,” Mr Awingobit said.  

September, October, November, December, cargo will troop in. Our port is congested,” he said.  

He urged the GPHA to review the use of its lands leased to private businesses and, where leases had expired, reclaim the properties for port development.  

He said the reclaimed lands could be developed into additional terminals to accommodate containers, empty containers, trucks and cargo.  

He said: “Land is an asset. If these lands are not outright for sale but lease, when the lease expires, the port should not approve any further lease. We should claim the land back, build more terminals and receive more cargo,” he stressed.  

Mr Awingobit stated that the congestion was not only affecting port operations but also residents and businesses in Tema, Ashaiman and other surrounding communities.  

He said the challenges would worsen if the country failed to create additional capacity ahead of the expected increase in cargo volumes during the final months of the year.  

He also called for measures to support exports, stressing   

that Ghana’s port infrastructure must have adequate capacity to handle both import and export cargo efficiently.  

GNA  

Edited by Benjamin Mensah  

Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA