Tema, June 29, - The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on Wednesday installed a 1,593,187 million-dollar Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) network at the Tema port to expose illegal activities to reduce pilferage and promote business.

The facility will aid in controlling, accessing and monitoring the activities of people, cargo and ensuring security communication. The venture, which is in fulfilment of one of the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, is to keep the port safe and secure in order to attract more ships and cargoes.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the maritime community explored ways of ensuring that ships, cargoes as well as port facilities are safe and secured from terrorist attacks. It introduced the ISPS Code for all ports.

The purpose of the Code was to provide a standardized, consistent framework for evaluating risk, enabling government to offset changes in threat with changes in vulnerability for ships and port facilities. Commissioning the facility Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, the Minister of Ports and Railways, commended the staff and management of the GPHA in their efforts to make the port the gateway to the sub-region and assured them of government's fullest support. He advised them to maintain the facility in order to generate the revenue expected from them.

Mr Ben Owusu-Mensah, the Director General GPHA, said the GPHA has already taken measures in compliance with the ISPS code.

These include the building of security structures, engagement and training of staff, wider public education on the code, completion of construction of fence walls for Tema and Takoradi ports and the formation of a port security committee.