Increased vigilance reduces theft of car parts at Tema Port

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA)'s problem with the pilfering of cargo, especially Opel box brains, has gone down drastically during the past month due to tighter security controls.

"For the past four weeks or so, we have not had any complaints about anyone brain boxes (a device that controls the electrical system) getting missing," said GPHA's Director of Ports, Nestor P. Galley, in an interview.

Although the security regulations existed, Galley said, the workers did not adhere to them, a situation that made stealing mostly of small items easy.

"When vehicles are discharged from vessels workers writing the commission reports have to check the vessels and when the cars are sent to the car park to await their owners, those there also conduct their checks."

Opel cars were now separated from other cars to ensure that they were checked properly and to make it easier to notice any malfeasance.

Galley revealed that the Ports Authority also plans to increase the number of security staff, train its current and incoming staff on theft prevention and ensure that thieves were arrested.

By early next year GPHA would implement three 8-hour daily shifts, instead of the current 12-hour shifts, because it has been demonstrated that when workers were tired fatigue affects their performance.

Galley explained: "We've realised that as part of the gateway programme, our vision is to become the maritime company of the sub-region, so we have to be more efficient and get the turnaround time for vessels shorter."