The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, has hinted that feasibility studies have been completed for the development of a new seaport in the Volta Region. He said findings indicate that the project is a feasible and viable investment.
The Keta Port Development Project (KPDP) which is expected to be carried out in phases, will come with a multi-purpose terminal as part of the first phase.
The project which has already been louded by major stakeholders needs the support of the private sector to thrive, which is why the government is calling for private sector investment and expertise to execute it.
The Minister made this known at a stakeholder engagement with potential investors for the project in Accra.
In June this year, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) commissioned a German consulting firm to undertake a full feasibility study and master plan of the project including a development and investment strategy for the Port of Keta in the Volta Region.
The new commercial port will accelerate development, making it a game changer for the Volta and Oti regions and Ghana as a whole. Upon the completion of the studies GPHA will draw a clear course for the construction of the Keta Port.
The transport Minister appealed to traditional and opinion leaders to prevail upon the indegenes of the area to support the project and eschew negative acts that will hinder its smooth execution.
He said the feasibility study proposes that the port facilities shall be developed in phases corresponding to the forecasted traffic growth and potential business development, with the
phase one which is the Port Nucleus estimated to cost about $650 million consisting of the main facilities of the key drivers of commercial port development.
“Building a port is not an event it is a process .We need the support of the private sector and all stakeholders for this project to see the light of day” he added.
Board Chairman of the GPHA, Isaac Osei, said the Authority is willing to welcome new ideas on how to fully execute the project. He explained that the plan is to ensure that no interested party or stakeholder is left out as the authority gets into the subsequent phases of the project to ensure that the inputs of stakeholders are captured and incorporated.
“In our collective determination to answer the call of our government to ensure the coming into being of the Keta Port, I would like to assure all our esteemed stakeholders that beyond this engagement the Authority will always be ready and willing to welcome new ideas and suggestions on the way forward as we progress”
Divine Kodzo Dzokoto, a community leader of Keta expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed on Keta and the Volta Region. He was thrilled with the stakeholder engagement but prayed that after wasting time and money the project should be executed.
“We are living in a democracy now. If the table changes, you know our politicians, they will just put a hold on it. I am praying hard that this will be a game changer for us so that Keta can regain it’s past glory,” he stated.
By Nelson Ayivor || ghananewsonline.com.gh