Takoradi, (Western Region) 19 July '99,

The Takoradi and Tema Ports are to operate as landlord ports from the year 2000 under the gateway programme.

This means the ports would divest themselves of cargo handling activities for the private sector to take over.

Mr Addo Koranteng, a financial manager of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) disclosed this to the press during the visit of the Parliamentary select committee on Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs to the Takoradi Port at the weekend.

He said legislation to regulate the private sector in cargo handling at the ports is being drafted for consideration by Parliament.

Mr Koranteng said the Authority has leased land at the Takoradi Port to Sensor Wiafe Company Limited to construct and operate warehouses.

The taking over of cargo handling activities by the private sector would necessitate the restructuring of the GPHA, he said.

Briefing the committee, Mr H. C. K. Kuzagbe, Operations Manager at Takoradi Port, said the GPHA handled 180,000 metric tonnes of sawn timber for shipment in 1998 and 86,000 metric tonnes of sawn timber passed 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.

An average of 28,000 metric tonnes of non-traditional crops are handled annually.

Mr Kuzagbe said the GPHA is considering constructing a fish market at the Albert Bosomtwe-Sam Fishing Harbour in Sekondi, where members of the committee interacted with fishermen and fish mongers.

They also visited Sekondi Beach and the Ghana Rubber Estate Limited at Apimenan Number Two, near Agona-Nkwanta, and the National Oil Palm Plantation Limited ( NOPP ) at Prestea.

GRi./