Otumfuo Charges GPHA Board: Complete Boankra Project!  …To Avoid Waste Of Public Funds

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, says to avert massive waste of public funds the Mahama government must do everything possible to ensure completion of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (Boankra Inland Port).

According to him, neglect of the project that has been on the drawing board for years could result in a breakdown of investor trust in Ghana’s infrastructure capabilities.

The Ashanti Overlord gave the admonition when a delegation from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), led by the Board Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, called on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

During a high-level meeting at the Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace of work, urging stakeholders, specifically the Shippers Authority and the GPHA, to treat the terminal with renewed urgency.

He noted that in the event of neglect, significant public resources already invested would be squandered.

According to him, Investor confidence would be eroded as serious investors only commit capital when they see “tangible improvement” and “steady construction” on-site.

The King also expressed concern over the Economic Impact of the project, noting that

beyond logistics the port is viewed as a vital engine for youth employment and a catalyst for both local and foreign direct investment.

“Attracting serious investors depend largely on visible progress on site… without consistent funding and tangible improvement, it would be difficult to convince partners to inject fresh capital,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasised.

Responding to the Asantehene’s concerns, Johnson Asiedu Nketia assured the King that the GPHA Board is proactive and has observed recent improvements in construction activity.

He said the Board will first focus on the main terminal facilities and outlined a strategic shift in the project’s execution by prioritising core infrastructure to ensure the port becomes operational as soon as possible.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia revealed that the railway component, which is vital to the project, requires substantial funding that could delay the entire project if pursued simultaneously.

In the interim, the focus will be on finishing the core port so that cargo will initially be moved by road, while the government continues to seek specific investment for the rail connection.

The Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal, which remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s economic transformation, is designed to serve as a critical “dry port” near Kumasi, offering several logistical advantages such as relieving the mounting pressure and cargo volumes at the Tema Harbour.

It will also facilitate the efficient transport of goods for faster processing and distribution to the northern parts of Ghana and neighbouring landlocked countries and also reducing cost of overall transport and logistics for businesses operating outside the coastal regions.

Meanwhile, management of Justmoh Construction Limited, the contractor, has assured that with the backing of the government, it will mobilse local expertise to position the project to become a pillar of West African trade, provided the current momentum is sustained.

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