By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo
Tema, Sept. 10, GNA — The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has called for stronger cooperation among West and Central African ports to improve competitiveness, operational efficiency and regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Major-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, Director-General of GPHA, said the changing global shipping environment required ports across the region to share knowledge, technical expertise and innovative solutions to common challenges.
He said the growth of international trade, evolving security threats, climate change, technological advancement and changing regulatory requirements were compelling port authorities to continuously review their operations and infrastructure.
Major-General Tanye-Kulono made the call when he welcomed participants to a three-day meeting of the technical committees of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Tema.
He noted that the meeting provided an important platform for member ports to exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to challenges affecting maritime security, environmental protection, port operations, infrastructure development and technical management.
He said stronger cooperation and the sharing of best practices were particularly necessary in maritime security, environmental management, operational efficiency and emergency preparedness.
“Our ports are not only responsible for facilitating trade, but also protecting our waters, our environment, and the communities that we serve,” he said.
The Director-General said the future competitiveness of ports would depend on their ability to plan and invest in infrastructure that responded to the changing needs of global trade.
He noted that embracing innovation and digitalisation, while ensuring that infrastructure investments were sustainable and resilient, would be critical to supporting national and regional economic transformation.
Major-General Tanye-Kulono said although ports faced different circumstances, many of the challenges confronting them were shared, making platforms such as PMAWCA important for pooling collective experience and expertise.
He encouraged participants to use the meeting not only to deliberate on their agenda but also to openly examine existing approaches and identify solutions that could be implemented across member ports.
He said Ghana was proud of the progress made in modernising its port infrastructure but recognised that port development was a continuous process requiring the country to remain responsive to changing global shipping patterns and the broader aspirations of AfCFTA.
“AfCFTA has a significant role in promoting intra-African trade and regional connectivity, and this requires us to work together to reduce inefficiencies, enhance safety and security, and make our ports more sustainable and competitive,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the meeting would generate recommendations to advance the objectives of port workers and strengthen cooperation among member ports.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Email: [email protected]