Asantehene warns Boankra Inland Port delays threaten public funds and investor confidence

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has issued a strong warning over delays affecting the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal in the Ashanti region.

He cautioned that any abandonment or prolonged stagnation of the project could lead to a significant loss of public funds and damage Ghana’s credibility among investors.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Manhyia Palace, the revered monarch expressed concern about the slow pace of work.

He described the situation as unacceptable, given the strategic importance of the project to national development.

The meeting followed a courtesy call by a delegation from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, led by its Board Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who briefed the King on the current status and future direction of the inland port initiative.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II did not mince words as he urged key stakeholders, including the Ghana Shippers Authority and GPHA, to treat the project with urgency.

“Abandoning the site now would squander the significant public resources already invested,” he said.

The Asantehene stressed that investor confidence hinges on visible progress, noting that serious financiers are guided by what they can see on the ground.

“Attracting serious investors depends largely on tangible improvement and steady construction,” he stated, warning that inconsistent funding and inactivity could deter fresh capital inflows.

He added that the Boankra project holds the potential to transform the economic landscape by creating employment opportunities for the youth and serving as a magnet for both local and foreign investment.

The Boankra Inland Port is designed as a major dry port near Kumasi, intended to ease congestion at the Tema Harbour while reducing transportation costs for businesses operating in inland regions.

The facility is also expected to improve the movement of goods to northern Ghana and neighboring landlocked countries, positioning the country as a logistics hub within the sub-region.

In response, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah assured the Asantehene that the GPHA board is actively engaged and has already observed signs of renewed activity on the project site.

He acknowledged the concerns raised and reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to ensuring completion.

He outlined a revised strategy aimed at accelerating delivery, explaining that priority would be placed on completing the core terminal infrastructure to make the port operational within the shortest possible time.

Mr. Nketiah disclosed that while the railway connection remains a critical component of the project, its high capital requirement could delay overall completion if pursued simultaneously with the main port facilities.

He indicated that cargo movement would initially rely on road transport once the terminal becomes operational, while efforts continue to secure dedicated investment for the rail infrastructure.

The GPHA board chairman emphasised that the phased approach is intended to strike a balance between urgency and financial sustainability, ensuring that progress is not stalled by funding constraints.

The engagement at Manhyia Palace ended with a shared understanding of the need for decisive action, as stakeholders face mounting pressure to deliver a project widely seen as crucial to Ghana’s economic future.