The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has commissioned the Paga truck park following its reconstruction by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
The truck park used to be in a very deplorable state, especially during the rainy seasons with instances recorded when trucks overturned due to the poor nature of the ground.
The 30,165 square meter project which is at a cost of GHC18million has facilities such as fire hydrants, light mast base and cable ducts for the future installation of light masts, sanitary facilities including washrooms, an ablution area, and prayer shed, for the convenience and use of the truck drivers and other visitors to the truck park.
There is also the installation of razor wire rolls on the truck park fence wall for enhanced security and drainage improvement at the entrance of the truck park.
Commissioning the project, the Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said, the facility will promote Ghana’s international trade and attract businesses to the country.
“The construction of this truck park is yet another intervention in addition to a similar facility in Tema. Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that government through the ministry and its agencies is constantly on the look-out for prospects and opportunities that will inure to the benefit of our stakeholders. This government is very passionate when it comes to the facilitation of international trade because it comes with a lot of benefits and leverage to the country and sub region as a whole.”
He said Government will continue to invest in ports infrastructure and cutting-edge technology to modernize and make Ghana’s ports and transit corridor the preferred choice within the subregion.
The Board Chairman of GPHA, Isaac Osei was optimistic that the facility will further enhance mutual cooperation among the Sahel regions.
He intimated that, “this truck park has been built to facilitate the smooth flow of cargo. But the truth is that it is not just about cargo, it is also about people. It is about the relationship that we establish among the people who live on either side of the border.”
He charged GPHA and its stakeholders to work in concert and see to the regular maintenance of the facility.
The Director-General of GPHA, Michael Achagwe Luguje said GPHA was making frantic efforts to make Ghana’s transit corridor attractive and the leader in the sub region.
“For us in the Ghana ports and Harbour Authority, we have witnessed a steady growth in transit cargo through our ports of Tema and Takoradi. Our focus is to become the leading corridor. And indeed, because the ports are not just what is in Tema and Takoradi, every road that leads to the ports, every corridor that maritime transport passes through, or cargo flows through is part and parcel of our land. If the port is excellent and roads are bad, cargo cannot flow in and out. That is part of the effort that has resulted in the investment that has been done in this facility.”
He added that the project will facilitate economic transformation and regional trade.
