The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has expressed concern about the loss of port traffic from the Tema Port to the Lomé Port in Togo.
Over the years, Lomé Port has experienced significant growth in traffic, increasing from 300,000 containers per annum in the early 2000s to 1.5 million containers presently. In contrast, Tema Port in Ghana has also seen growth but at a slower pace, currently handling 1.2 million containers.
Dr. George vanDyck, a leading researcher on governance, port clusters, and competitiveness at the Tema Ports, emphasized the need for Ghana to create a conducive business environment to remain competitive with Togo. The Port Effectiveness and Public-Private Cooperation for Competitiveness (PEPP II) project, funded by the Danish Foreign Ministry, aims to provide valuable evidence for policymakers to enhance port efficiency and benefit the blue economy.
Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Head of the Communication Department at the University of Ghana, highlighted the importance of the PEPP II project in allowing a wider range of researchers to contribute to the maritime world and the Blue Economy. This inclusive approach enables researchers from various fields such as engineering, fisheries, and physics to join the network and contribute valuable insights that can inform policies and industry practices.
During his keynote address, Professor Michael Ekow Manuel, Academic Dean of the World Maritime University, underscored the significance of adopting sustainable measures to protect the ocean. He emphasized that the future of the Blue Economy relies on preserving and sustaining the marine ecosystem, urging for responsible practices to ensure its longevity.
