Understanding Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Operations

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A scenic aerial view of Elmina's bustling fishing port and town in Ghana.
Credit: pexels.com, A scenic aerial view of Elmina's bustling fishing port and town in Ghana.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority is responsible for the management of Ghana's seaports and harbours, with the Tema Port being the country's largest and busiest port.

The Authority operates under the Ministry of Transport and has its headquarters in Accra.

Its main objective is to provide efficient and effective port services to facilitate trade and commerce in Ghana.

The Authority's operations are guided by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Act, 2003, which gives it the mandate to manage and regulate port activities in the country.

About Ghana Ports Authority

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority is a vital institution in Ghana's economy. It was established under Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Law, 1986 (PNDC Law 160).

The Authority is responsible for planning, building, developing, managing, operating, and controlling ports in Ghana. This includes overseeing the operations of key ports like the Takoradi Harbour and Tema Harbour.

The Takoradi Harbour and Tema Harbour, along with ports, serve as manufacturing centers, handling cargo in transshipment to and from bordering countries north of Ghana. The Golden Jubilee Terminal is a recently opened facility of the Tema port.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority plays a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce in Ghana.

News

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority raises concern about the decline in port traffic - JoyNews

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has a rich history dating back to 1950 when it was established as a department of the Ministry of Transport.

The authority's main role is to manage and operate all the ports in Ghana, including the Tema Port, which is the country's largest and busiest port.

The Tema Port alone handles over 80% of Ghana's international trade.

Ghana's ports have undergone significant modernization in recent years, with the Tema Port being upgraded to accommodate larger container ships.

The Tema Port now has a container terminal with a capacity to handle 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.

The port's modernization has led to a significant increase in cargo handling efficiency, with the average turnaround time for ships reduced to just 24 hours.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has also implemented various safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations at the ports.

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Assures of Reducing Cost of Business Amid Economic Challenges

The authority has a team of experienced pilots who guide ships safely into and out of the ports.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has a strong commitment to customer service, with a dedicated customer service team available to assist importers and exporters.

The authority's customer service team is available to answer questions and provide support via phone, email, and online chat.

Ports and Harbours Overview

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority is responsible for planning, building, developing, managing, operating, and controlling ports in Ghana. This is mandated by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Law, 1986 (PNDC Law 160).

The Authority plays a crucial role in Ghana's economy, particularly in the manufacturing centers of Sekondi-Takoradi and Tema. These cities serve as key cargo handling centers.

The Takoradi Harbour and Tema Harbour and ports serve Sekondi-Takoradi and Tema's role as manufacturing centers, and handles cargo in transshipment to and from bordering countries north of Ghana.

Tema Fishing Harbour

Credit: youtube.com, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority: Development and Attractiveness of the Ports in Ghana

The Tema Fishing Harbour is a separate port facility at Tema.

It's a commercial and industrial fishing port, composed of four main areas: Inner Harbour, Outer Harbour, Canoe Basin, and Commercial Area.

The harbour handles the catch from commercial deep-sea fishing and canoe fishing.

The facility is designed to efficiently process and store the large volumes of fish that come in from these fishing activities.

Modern Port Facilities and Services

Modern port facilities and services in Ghana have undergone significant improvements in recent years. The Tema Port, managed by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, is a prime example of these advancements.

The port's container terminal has a capacity to handle over 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, making it one of the busiest ports in West Africa.

The port's facilities include 18 berths, with the deepest draft of 14.5 meters, allowing for the safe docking of large vessels.

Facilities

Modern port facilities have come a long way in providing efficient services to vessels and cargo. They now offer a range of amenities, including fueling stations, repair services, and storage facilities.

Ebuka The Boat Rider In Bonny Island Port Harcourt
Credit: pexels.com, Ebuka The Boat Rider In Bonny Island Port Harcourt

The introduction of advanced container handling systems has significantly reduced processing times, allowing for faster turnaround of vessels. This has been made possible by the use of advanced technology, such as automated cranes and conveyor belts.

Port facilities now also offer a variety of cargo handling options, including breakbulk and project cargo services. This is a significant improvement from the past, when ports were limited to handling only containerized cargo.

A key feature of modern port facilities is their ability to accommodate large vessels, including cruise ships and bulk carriers. This is due to the installation of deep-water berths and advanced mooring systems.

The use of advanced security systems has also become a standard feature in modern port facilities. These systems help to ensure the safety and security of vessels, cargo, and personnel.

Services

Modern port facilities offer a range of services to support the efficient movement of cargo and passengers.

One of the key services is container handling, where cranes and other equipment are used to load and unload containers from ships.

Credit: youtube.com, How Ports Operate

Some ports also provide storage facilities for containers, allowing them to be held temporarily while awaiting transportation to their final destination.

Terminal operators use sophisticated systems to track and manage the flow of containers through the port.

Port authorities also provide customs clearance services, helping to expedite the process of getting goods through customs and into the country.

These services are critical to the smooth operation of international trade, allowing goods to be transported quickly and efficiently.

Ghana Ports Authority

The Ghana Ports Authority plays a crucial role in the country's economy. Established under the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Law, 1986 (PNDC Law 160), the Authority is mandated to plan, build, develop, manage, operate, and control ports in Ghana.

The Authority's main objective is to provide efficient port facilities and ensure quality services to customers. This is achieved through the provision of necessary port facilities, maintenance of existing facilities, and regulation of port usage.

The Authority's mission includes recognizing its workforce as its greatest asset and key to success. It also aims to employ appropriate technologies and contribute towards a clean, healthy, and safe marine environment.

Our Mission

Credit: youtube.com, GHANA PORTS AND HARBOUR AUTHORITY: TRADE FACILITATION IN GHANA AND THE DIASPORA

At the Ghana Ports Authority, our mission is to provide efficient port facilities and ensure quality services to customers. We strive to present a pricing policy that benefits all parties involved, including the Authority, operators, and customers.

We recognize our workforce as our greatest asset and key to success, aiming to be the gateway to the West African Sub-region. Our goal is to employ technologies that contribute to a clean, healthy, and safe marine environment.

Our mission is to provide in a port the necessary facilities for efficient operation. This includes maintaining and extending port facilities as needed.

We aim to regulate the use of the port and its facilities, maintaining and deepening the approaches to the port as necessary. We also provide facilities for transporting, storing, and sorting goods, and operate road haulage services for hire or reward.

Here are some of the key functions we perform to achieve our mission:

  • Provide necessary port facilities for efficient operation
  • Maintain and extend port facilities as needed
  • Regulate the use of the port and its facilities
  • Maintain and deepen the approaches to the port as necessary
  • Provide facilities for transporting, storing, and sorting goods
  • Operate road haulage services for hire or reward
  • Carry out stevedoring, master porterage, and lighterage services

Ghana Ports Authority

Credit: youtube.com, The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) takes delivery of two new Damen ASD2813 tugs

The Ghana Ports Authority is responsible for managing and operating the country's ports, including the Takoradi Harbour and Tema Harbour. These ports serve as critical manufacturing centers and cargo transshipment points for Ghana.

The Authority was established under the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority Law, 1986 (PNDC Law 160), and its mandate is to plan, build, develop, manage, operate, and control ports in Ghana.

GPHA's mission is to provide efficient port facilities and ensure quality services to customers. This includes presenting a pricing policy that benefits all parties involved, recognizing its workforce as its greatest asset, and employing appropriate technologies to maintain a clean and safe marine environment.

Some of the key responsibilities of the Ghana Ports Authority include providing port facilities, regulating the use of ports, maintaining navigable waters, and providing transportation services. It also carries out stevedoring, master porterage, and lighterage services.

Here are some specific functions of the Ghana Ports Authority:

  • Provide in a port such port facilities as appear to be necessary for the efficient and proper operation of the port;
  • Maintain the port facilities, extend and enlarge any such facilities as it shall deem fit;
  • Regulate the use of any port and of the port facilities;
  • Maintain and deepen as necessary the approaches to, and the navigable waters within and outside the limits of any port, and also maintain lighthouses and beacons and other navigational service and aids as appear to it to be necessary;
  • Provide facilities for the transport, storage, warehousing, loading, unloading and sorting of goods passing through any port, and operate road haulage services for hire or reward;
  • Carry on all the business of stevedoring, master porterage and lighterage services; and
  • Generally discharge any other functions which are necessary or incidental to the foregoing:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the director of GPHA?

The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is Brigadier General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono. He oversees Ghana's ports and promotes international best practices in shipping and environmental management.

What is the largest port in Ghana?

Tema Port is the largest port in Ghana, handling over 3 million TEU containers annually. It's one of the largest container ports in Africa, with a major expansion completed in 2020.

What are the core values of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority?

Our core values are integrity, transparency, and accountability, guiding all our business dealings to promote public trust and confidence

What is the difference between Tema Port and Takoradi port?

Tema Port is Ghana's largest and busiest port, handling a wide range of cargo, while Takoradi Port focuses on supporting oil and gas sector activities, including offshore exploration and production.

Felicia Larson

Writer

Felicia Larson is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for logistics. Her work focuses on the intricate world of shipping companies, where she delves into the complexities of global logistics and supply chain management. Through her articles, she aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from the latest technological advancements to the challenges faced by shipping companies.

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