The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has sealed a consulting services contract for the execution of feasibility studies for the construction of the Port of Keta.

The GPHA, announcing this in a press statement, said it has commissioned an association of Consultants led by M/s Sellhorn Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH from Hamburg, Germany, naming other consultants as ProTeln Service GmbH, PSP Architekten, Ingenieure and a Ghanaian team from Yogarib Engineering Services Limited.

It indicated that the GPHA had also issued the Letter of Notice to Commence to the Consultant to begin the services officially on the 23rd of June 2020, in accordance with the conditions of the contract during the signing ceremony through Microsoft Teams video conferencing.

“The appointed consultant is expected to expedite work to deliver a full feasibility study and master plan, including development and investment strategy for the Port of Keta. The first feasibility indicators are expected within seven months” .

Globally, Port Infrastructure Development is usually a very involving and time consuming activity which doesn’t just spring up but is accompanied by careful decisions backed by empirical facts and detailed port and public infrastructure planning considerations.

Mr Michael Luguje, Director General of GPHA, at the virtual signing ceremony on Microsoft Teams video, acknowledged the limitations imposed on all parties in the face of the Global pandemic.

Mr Luguje however admonished the team to take all necessary steps to ensure that they employed their best professional abilities in delivering the terms of the contract since the Port of Keta was an important development agenda for the government and people of Ghana.

Dr. Alexander Yaw Adusei Jnr, Director of the Port of Keta, thanked the Director General and management of GPHA for the committed investment in the project and success in appointing a consultant through a professionally well-conducted and transparent process which would aid the commencement of the most critical part of the development of Port of Keta.

The Director of the Port of Keta also expressed the hope that the Volta Region will soon have a modern port and maritime logistics hub for Ghana and a strategic cargo route through the Volta Region and the Eastern Corridor for Ghana’s northern neighbours.

According to the GPHA, “the realization of Keta Port is beginning with the Master Plan and Feasibility Studies’ consulting services, scheduled to commence in June 2020. Extensive multi-stakeholder engagement sessions are expected to be conducted during the feasibility study period, including market search, investment shows, etc. It is anticipated that in the absence of any major delays attributable to the covid-pandemic, the studies will be completed by Feb. 2021 with investment strategy plan for the port’s development”.

They stated that GPHA anticipated parallel discussions with local and international interest groups on development prospects adding that to all intents and purposes, a Master Plan and Feasibility Study were necessary to guide the total development plan for Ghana’s newest port project.