The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has been supported by the European Union through the EU WeCAPS project, with over half a million cedis worth of personal protective equipment to help the fight against COVID-19.
The PPEs include 5,000 pcs surgical masks, 2000pcs KN95 Nose masks, 2,000 disposable surgical gowns; face shields, gun thermometers, gloves, goggles, overalls, hand sanitisers and accompanying dispensers, scrubs and cover-alls. These items will be used in various GPHA health facilities, as well as the operational and administrative areas of Tema and Takoradi Ports.
Additionally, the Regional Maritime University also received a related donation of PPEs from the EU.
According to the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Diana Acconcia, WeCAPS is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, and in response to the COVID-19 outbreak is ensuring that partner ports in the West and Central African sub-regions are supported to manage and mitigate impact of the coronavirus.
She said this project is part of a wider policy of the European Union to support maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea area, which ensures that the capacity of Port Authorities in the West and Central African sub-regions is enhanced.
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje, praised the efforts of the European Union and their partners and expressed that this gesture will augment the Port Authority’s COVID-19-related activities and ensure Ghana’s Port environment is safe for business continuity.
The Pro Vice Chancellor of the Regional Maritime University, Jethro Brooks, expressed the donation’s significance to the tertiary institution – especially as it embarks on its continuity plans.
The Sevenlog Managing Director, Christophe Monmarché – who was also the WeCAPS focal point, applauded the EU and also commented on the positive impact the donation will have on the port community.
In addition to Tema and Takoradi Ports, it was revealed that Doula, Cameroon; Brazzaville and Pointe Noire of Congo; Abidjan and San Pedro of Cote D’Ivoire; Dakar, Senegal; and Lome, Togo, are other beneficiary ports of this project.
