A group photograph of the GPHA board with Torgbui Sri III and
Volta Regional Minister
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Michael Achagwe Luguje, has revealed that 19 international firms have expressed interest in the construction of the Keta Port Project in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.
He did not give the names of the companies and their countries of origin but noted that an evaluation team had assessed the proposals of the firms and shortlisted the number to seven.
The GPHA expects the seven to present a detailed proposal comprising a technical report on how each of them intends to undertake the project. These proposals would be evaluated by the team based on the interest of Ghanaians before one is chosen to undertake the project.
Mr. Luguje disclosed this in Keta when the GPHA Board Chairman, Peter Mac Manu, and the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yaw Letsa, paid a courtesy call on the Awomefia of the Anlo State, Torgbui Sri III, to introduce the Director of Keta Port, Dr. Alexander Adusei, to him. The team also visited the site earmarked for the multi-million project which is located at a Keta community called Kedzi.
The Director General said all things being equal, the construction of Ghana’s third port would begin towards the end of 2020.
Mr. Manu said the President had shown his commitment towards the Keta Project by backing it with an executive instrument. He assured the people that persons who would be affected by the project would be appropriately compensated. He added that the Director of the Keta Port, Dr. Adusei, had been appointed to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Torgbui Sri III and the Dufia of Kedzi, Torgbui Joachim Acolatse V, commended government and the GPHA for fulfilling their promise of a port in Keta. It is expected to attract investments and create jobs for the youth. They assured government that all citizens of the Anlo State would support the project and protect the site from encroachment.
The GPHA team also said the Keta Port was different from the jetty that Diamond Cement wanted to construct in the area, and that the authority was in talks with the company to consider constructing its jetty within the Keta Port.
From Fred Duodu, Keta (k.duodu@yahoo.com)Â