The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has given assurance to residents in the Keta area that it will fully adhere to the country's local content policy during the implementation of the Keta Port project.

Mr. Sam Dzackah, the Project Coordinator for Coastal Ports Development at GPHA, affirmed that the Authority would employ a similar approach to the local content law in the oil and gas sector when engaging local residents for the project. He stated that "Keta is a place of experts."

The Petroleum (Local Content and Local Participation) Regulations of 2013 emphasize the prioritization of local residents in terms of employment in the petroleum industry and ensuring that they benefit from the country's natural resources.

Mr. Dzackah provided this reassurance during a public engagement focused on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The event was organized by GPHA in collaboration with Coastal and Reclamation Engineering Services (CARES) Ghana Limited, the consultants responsible for the ESIA of the Keta Port project. This engagement is part of the process leading to the construction of the Keta Port.

The separate engagements took place in Dzelukope, Kedzi, and Havedzi and aimed to allow local residents to voice concerns about potential adverse social and environmental impacts of the proposed port. The goal was to identify suitable mitigation measures.

Residents from various communities, including Keta, Adzido, Vodza, Kedzi Agorta, Havedzi, Horvi, Blekusu, and Anlo-Afiadenyigba, attended the forum.

Among the concerns raised were compensation for families that would need to relocate to accommodate the project, the preservation of livelihoods for fishing-dependent communities, the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and the promotion of tourism.

Mr. Dzackah highlighted that the Keta area (Anlo) has a reputation for producing some of Ghana's best human resources. Therefore, the project would create numerous opportunities to benefit the local population.

“Put yourselves in readiness for the project. The Keta Port, which will have a port city and industrial enclave, will incorporate the tourism aspect,” he said.

“There will be proposal for measures of safeguarding the communities in terms of alternative livelihood including opportunities for people to own businesses. For local content, indigenes will be recruited for manual labour, semi-skilled and at expert levels.”

Mr. Mathew Baker, the Technical Manager at CARES Ghana Ltd, emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement, highlighting its critical role in evaluating the project's potential positive and negative effects on local communities.

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has outlined the project as a commercial harbor that will encompass a container terminal, fishing harbor, tourism hub, and other pertinent facilities.

The Social and Environmental Impact Assessment, constituting the project's second phase following the completion of the feasibility study, is expected to extend over a period of six months. Subsequently, construction will commence.