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Work on the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal, a landmark project expected to alleviate congestion at the Tema port, will be completed in 2023, said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
It is being developed on a 413-acre parcel of land located 27 kilometers from Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, to enhance the country’s role as a transit corridor to neighboring landlocked countries.
They include Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, addressing a lawn mowing ceremony in Boankra, Ejisu Township, for work to continue on the project, which had been stagnant for approximately 18 years, said that upon completion, the installation would boost the efficient movement of goods and services in Ghana.
The project was started by the Ghana Shippers Authority and the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority in the early 1990s to create a dry port as an extension of the port of Tema.
However, work at the terminal had been on hold for more than a decade due to contractual, legal, parliamentary and regulatory issues.
President Nana Akufo-Addo indicated that given the strategic economic importance of the project, his Administration had worked assiduously to secure a $ 330 million fund with the assistance of the Republic of South Korea for the continuation of the work.
The concession contract for the project, according to the president, is for 30 years, adding that the concessionaire was Ashanti Port Services Limited, a consortium made up of Afum Quality Limited from Ghana and DSS Associates from South Korea.
The project, according to the plan, is to provide sufficient storage and processing facilities to support Ghana’s’ Planting for Food and Employment ‘initiative, the’ One District, One Factory ‘political initiative, as well as the’ Planting for export and rural development ‘.
It seeks to serve as an ultra-modern integrated logistics terminal consisting of a container service yard, container loading station, refrigerated warehouses, truck parking area and facilities for postal services, telecommunications, public services, among others.
President Nana Akufo-Addo advised contractors to do diligent work to ensure value for money.
Mr. Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, Minister of Transport, hinted that the project would provide 3,000 direct jobs and more than 60,000 indirect jobs for the population.
He said the government, as part of efforts to increase socioeconomic growth, was working seriously to put the country’s transportation system in good shape for the benefit of the people.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, was the guest of honor at the event.
—GNA
