GPHA clamps down on illegal port facility developers

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority led by its Director General Paul Asare Ansah is embarking on a severe clampdown on some individuals, corporations and private entities that are embarking on construction or development of smaller unauthorised port facilities along some coastal towns in the country.

In this vain, the Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Paul Asare Ansah has constituted a team, which was led by the Port Security Manager, Lt. col. Nana Darkwa and comprising the Port Authority’s monitoring department, the Port Security, Ghana Navy, Ghana Marine Police, National Security, Bureau of National Investigations and journalists to investigate the practice of such entities constructing the illegal ports along the coast for the necessary ascertain the veracity of those reports.

The first point of call by the team was at Anyanui in the Keta Municipality of the Volta region.

Here, the team gathered that a fishing habour called Omanye Ocean Fishing Company was about to be constructed with the help the some Chinese nationals.

About 34 Chinese nationals had arrived at the site for the project. Again, 14 fishing vessels had also been brought from China for the project.

Equipment to be used for the project have also been brought in containers.

The project was said to belong to one Joe Onyame who resides in Tema.

A former Assembly member in the Keta Municipality who is involved in the project briefed the team.

He said the Chiefs and elders of the community including the Keta Municipal Assembly have given their blessings for the project.

The team proceeded to the Keta Municipal Assembly, where the Municipal Chief Executive Seth Yormewu said even though he is aware such a project is going on, he hasn’t been briefed because he was sworn into office not long ago.

The fact finding team also visited Tema New Town where an LPG storage facility is being constructed.

Construction was said to have commenced in May 2016 and expected to be completed December, 2017. It was also revealed that the facility will soon be receiving oil and gas vessels.

Already, 600meters of breakwaters had been constructed into the sea.

The former of the project said permits have been obtained from Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana National Fire Service, Tema Metropolitan Assembly and Ghana Maritime Authority.

He said they have applied for permit from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority but are yet to receive authorisation.

By virtue of the Ghana ports and harbours authority Act, PNDCL 160 of 1986, GPHA is the sole governmental authority authorised and mandated to plan, build, develop, manage, operate and control port facilities in the country.

Therefore any port, harbour, marina, jetty or berth development related activity that is, or is being, carried out without due process and the formal consent and approval of the GPHA as provided for under PNDCL 160 of 1986, constitutes an illegality and subject to sanctions or prosecutions and other consequences.