BOANKRA INLAND PORT PROJECT RESUMES JULY-TRANSPORT MINISTER

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Construction of the Boankra Inland Port Project in the Ashanti region is expected to resume by July this year under a public-private partnership arrangement on a Build-Operate and Transfer, BOT, model. 

The cost of the next phase of the project is estimated at a minimum of 400 million Dollars and would be completed within two years upon resumption of the construction works. 

The Minister for Transport, Ofori Asiamah, made this known to Ashanti Today in Kumasi after briefing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, on steps being taken to re-start the Inland Port Project. 


The Project, which was initiated by the previous NPP government about 10 years ago, stalled following the change of government. 

Before the project came to a standstill, the Administrative Block complex had been built at a cost of about five million Dollars. 

However, a recent visit to the site showed substantial damages to the building as a result of non-occupation and lack of maintenance during the period.

 Also, compensation to the affected owners of the about one thousand hectare land had been paid. 

The Transport Minister, who was accompanied by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Selby Twumasi-Ankra and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Madam Benonita Bismack, was at the Manhyia Palace to update the Asantehene on plans to restart and possibly complete the project.

 Mr. Asiamah disclosed that the World Bank, which has been involved in the selection processes for bidders, has shortlisted some entities to select the eventual concessionaire to start the construction. 

According to Mr. Asiamah, the next phases of the Inland Port project consists of the provision of Bonded Warehouses, a Terminal for cargo, Sheds among other essential facilities. 

He said the goal of the project is to serve the landlocked neighbouring countries of Ghana including Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger to reduce the volume of traffic and pressure on Ghana’s highways and also to help de-congest the country’s sea ports.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, described the Minister’s message as a piece of good news considering the fact that succeeding sector Ministers after the start of the project, had assured him that the Port was going to be completed but turned out to be untrue saying that funds expended on the construction of the Administrative block complex has become a waste of funds considering its current state. 

The Asantehene noted that at a point, he had to intervene to stop the landowners from re-entering the land following the delay in completion of the project.

 Otumfuo Osei Tutu said if completed, the Inland Port would positively impact the national economy especially in jobs creation and local industrialization. 

He advised the government and its partners to ensure that only competent companies are engaged to undertake the work.


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