Togo's port not headache to us - GHPA

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHPA) has downplayed fears that the country risk losing its maritime traffic to neighbouring Togo following the construction of a new port in the Togolese capital, Lome.

The Director-General of the authority, Mr Richard Anamoo, said in an interview that such concerns were unfounded, especially given that over 90 per cent of the country's maritime trade was made up of captive trade - a cargo meant to be used within the country in which it is being shipped.

'Our transit trade (cargo passing through Ghana to neighbouring countries), which we risk losing is negligible, about 10 per cent, and we are even working at increasing,' Mr Anamoo told the GRAPHIC BUSINESS on October 25.

He, however, admitted that a potential drop in cargo throughput as a result of the Lome Port could mean a corresponding drop in revenue to the authority and government but added that his outfit was working to prevent that.

'Just last three weeks ago, we were at Burkina Faso to do business promotion there and the response was really positive,' he added.

His comments on the matter follow concerns by the Tema branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that the country's maritime trade could slump should Togo complete the on-going modernisation and expansion of its seaport in Lome.

The Lome' Port, which is the deepest in the sub-region, is currently being upgraded to handle about 7,000 container vessels, nearly double its current capacity, should the reconstruction end.

Given that the current congestions at the Tema Port was already inconveniencing most importers and exporters, the Chairman of the Teman branch of the association, Mr Charles Mensah, said the development in Togo could have adverse effects on the number vessels that dock at Tema and the country as a whole.

'The port at Lome is so modern that these vessels will rather wish to call there than Ghana and that means government revenue will be affected,' Mr Mensah, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Myrock Food Processing Company, said.

The DG of the GPHA, however, said there was cause for concern, explaining that the dynamics in maritime trade made it uneconomical for businesses to bypass the country with their cargo to Togo only to revert to the country.

By Maxwell Adombila Akalaare/Graphic Business/Ghana