The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Netherlands government for the establishment of a Port Training Institute (PTI) to impart practical knowledge into personnel who will handle the day-to-day activities of our ports.

Mr. Richard Anamoo, Director General of the GPHA, signed for his outfit, while Ms. Lilliane Ploumen, Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, signed on behalf of the Netherlands government.

Some members of the Port Development Partnership (PDP), including Shipping and Transport College (STC)-BV, Deltares, and UNESCO -IHE have expressed interest to support the institute.

The GPHA also entered into long-term cooperation with the Netherlands government, to ensure continuous knowledge exchange as the basis for the inclusive development for the West Africa maritime and transport sectors.

Prior to the signing of the MoU, a seminar was organised between the GPHA and PDP Africa-Netherlands on sustainable port development, to highlight its importance and kick start the knowledge exchange for the inclusive development of the maritime and transport sectors of the country.

The seminar brought together dignitaries such as Mr. Hans Docter, Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Ms Lilliane Ploumen, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Mr. Sander Wubbolt, Chairman of the Shipping and Transport College (STC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, GPHA Board Chairman, Mr. Richard Anamoo, GPHA Director-General, and a delegation of businessmen from the Netherlands.

The Dutch Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the great cooperation that has existed between the two countries all these years, and which has given birth to even stronger ties to share and impart knowledge in the ports and harbours sector.

Speaking at the seminar, the Dutch Foreign Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation said the port of Amsterdam and Rotterdam were of crucial importance to the national economy of the Netherlands, as the ports of Tema and Takoradi to Ghana, therefore, there was the need for collaboration between the two countries.

On his part, the Director General of GPHA, on behalf of the whole maritime community of Ghana, was also grateful to the delegation of the Netherlands government for taking time off their busy schedules to come and share their expertise in port management with players in the Ghanaian maritime and ports sectors.