Ministers promise to solve tracking device problem at Tema Port

The Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Trade have assured transit truck drivers stuck at the Tema Port of an urgent solution to the unavailability of tracking device.

Dr Spio Gabrah and Mr Fiifi Kwetey, Ministers of Trade and Transport respectively, gave the assurance on Thursday when they visited the truck transit terminal at the Tema Port to get first hand information on the matter.

Hundreds of truck drivers transiting through Ghana to Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and other African countries are stranded at the terminal for several weeks due to the unavailability of the tracking device.

Mr Kwetey said their attention was drawn to the delay and congestion at the terminal and therefore visited the place to interact with the stakeholders on how to solve the problem.

He said the devices have to be fixed on time to enable the trucks move adding that he would make the country's ports more competitive and attractive.

He said such delays led to unnecessary cost for the drivers and discouraged others to use the country for business.

Dr Gabrah also reiterated the need to purchase more trucking devices to facilitate trade and make Ghana the centre for Ecowas trade.

Mr Raymond Anamoo, Director General, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), said even though about 200 trucks must receive a tracking device each day, only 80 are fixed.

Mr Anamoo explained that the trackers help governmental oversight bodies to monitor the movement of the trucks to ensure that they do not offload illegally in the country.

He added that unfortunately, companies contracted by government to install the tracking devices do not have enough supply leading to the creation of artificial congestion at the terminal.