Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Nikpe Bukari, swore in a nine-member Board of Directors for the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) on Wednesday, June 25.

Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), chairs the newly sworn-in board.

Hon. Nikpe Bukari, in his address, charged the board to carry out their mandate diligently and pursue reforms that will position the Port Authority as the leading trade and logistics hub in West Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the board, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in them.

He pledged to work collaboratively to boost investor confidence in the maritime sector and ensure efficiency at the ports.

The members of the newly constituted board also include Brig. Gen. Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono—Director General, GPHA; Mr. Zumah Tebon—Director of Port, Tema; Capt. Richmond Quayeson—Director of Port, Takoradi; Prof. Ransford Edward Gyampo—Acting CEO, Ghana Shippers’ Authority; and Mr. Stephane Abbas Meizan—President, Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The others are Hon. Dan Abdul-Latif—MP, Ablekuma Central; Mr. Adam Imoru Ayarna—Vice President, Shipowners and Agents Association of Ghana; Mrs. Mabel Sagoe—Chief Director, Ministry of Transport; and Ebenezer Perry-Ellis—Worker's Representative.

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is a statutory corporation established under Ghana’s Provisional National Defence Council Law (PNDCL 160) of 1986 to build, plan, develop, manage, maintain, operate, and control all ports in Ghana.

The Authority manages and operates the seaports of Ghana and various business units in collaboration with a number of private service providers in the areas of vessel handling, stevedoring, transfer, storage, receipt, and delivery of containerized and general cargo. Others are safety, security, and conservancy services.

Its business units currently comprise the Port of Tema, Port of Takoradi, Port of Keta (yet to be operational), Tema and Takoradi Fishing Harbours, Tema Shipyard and Drydock, Transit Sahelian Liaison Office in Burkina Faso, GPHA Clinic, Tema International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) Tema, GPHA Hospital, Takoradi.

The Authority's major customers include shipowners and their agents, freight forwarders, cargo handling companies, importers and exporters, haulage companies, ship chandlers, off-dock terminal operators, warehouse companies, dock labor pool operators, etc.

GPHA has a vision to reduce the cost of trade, provide and maintain efficient modern port facilities, aid in regional development, and also provide and maintain safe and secure seaports for the nation and subregion.