Takoradi July 19, GNA-- The Takoradi and Tema Ports are to be operated by the private sector under the gateway programme next year. Mr. Addo Koranteng, a financial manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPOHA, said legislation to regulate the private sector in cargo handling at the ports is being drafted for consideration by Parliament.

He was briefing the parliamentary committee on food and agriculture and cocoa affairs during a visit to the Takoradi harbour on Saturday. Mr Koranteng said the Authority has leased land at the Takoradi Port to Sensor Wiafe Company Limited to construct and operate warehouses.

He said the taking over of cargo handling activities by the private sector would require restructuring of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPOHA).

Mr.H.C.K. Kuzagbe, Operations Manager of the Port, said GPOHA shipped 180,000 metric tonnes of sawn timber in 1998. He said 86,000 metric tonnes of sawn timber were shipped through the Port from January to June this year.

Mr Kuzagbe said 140,000 metric tonnes of cocoa was handled in 1998 and 102,503 metric tonnes from January to June this year. He said an average of 28,000 metric tonnes of non-traditional crops are also shipped through the port annually.

He said the GPOHA is considering constructing a fish market at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi. Members of the committee also visited the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour and the Sekondi Beach to interact with fishermen and fish mongers.

They also visited the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited at Apimenan number two, near Agona-Nkwanta, and the National Oil Palm Plantation Limited (NOPP) at Pretsea.