File photo of sea tansport
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Government will analyze the practicality and potential success of boosting sea transport in Ghana.
This is to reduce the heavy vehicle traffic associated with road transport and lessen the emission of carbon into the atmosphere in support of the country’s climate change efforts.
The President made this disclosure during his message on the State of the Nation to Parliament on Thursday in Accra.
“The Government will commission a feasibility study to develop coastal water transport services,” he said.
“The Government will commission a feasibility study to develop coastal water transport services… It also aims to enhance tourism, reduce road traffic, and mitigate environmental pollution.”
The initiative, he said, was to promote alternative modes of transport and ensure their integration with existing systems under the National Transport Policy.
Boosting coastal transport services, together with other forms of transport, would result in interconnected benefits for a vibrant economy and enhance the livelihoods of countless Ghanaians.
President Mahama, however, said the Government would implement key initiatives to revitalise the road sector, including the reintroduction of road tolls using modern technology.
Others were rationalising the Road Sector Portfolio to focus on high-impact initiatives, de-cap the Road Fund, and minimise sole-source procurement to encourage competitive bidding and enhance public transparency in procurement processes.
During his vetting in January, Mr Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Minister of Transport, said he would engage the private sector to make the venture succeed.
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