Volta, 25 Oct. Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for prioritising the Keta Port project, describing it as a transformative initiative expected to boost the local economy, create jobs, and enhance Ghana’s maritime logistics capacity.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency during the public hearing on the proposed project, Mr Gunu said the port would stimulate trade and industrialisation in the Volta Region while opening new trade corridors with neighbouring countries.
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“This is the project we must take on our own. We need to support the government and the various authorities that are taking up the mandate to see the project materialised,” he stated.
The public hearing, which focused on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Keta Port, provided stakeholders and community members the opportunity to raise concerns and offer input on the project. Mr Gunu assured residents that the government was committed to transparency and accountability, aiming to minimise environmental impacts while maximising benefits for the local population.
“President Mahama has many legacies for Volta, and the Keta Port Project is one. I strongly believe that by the time Mahama leaves power, Volta will be transformed beyond imagination. What we need is support from the public,” he added.
The minister emphasised that the project would create both direct and indirect employment opportunities in sectors such as logistics and transportation, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), urged coastal residents to collaborate with project workers to ensure smooth implementation. He noted that the port, regarded as the third gateway to neighbouring countries, would benefit the entire country and strengthen the economy.
Madam Nana Ama Brown Klutsey, CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), assured stakeholders that necessary studies had been conducted and additional assessments were ongoing to mitigate environmental and community impacts. She pledged that the project would be executed sustainably.
Residents expressed excitement about the engagement, highlighting the port’s potential to transform the region. At the same time, they raised concerns about environmental and social impacts, urging the government, GPHA, and EPA to implement mechanisms to manage unforeseen challenges.
GNA gathered that the Keta Port project has received strong backing from traditional leaders, local communities, and other stakeholders, underscoring broad-based support for its completion.
