The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) says over six private investors have expressed interest in partnering with the government to construct and operationalise the Keta Port in the Volta Region.

According to GPHA’s Director-General, Michael Luguje, an environmental and social impact assessment report will be issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be presented to the investors as part of the process of developing the port.

President Akufo-Addo signed an Executive Instrument (EI) in October 2018, officially designating the location in Keta as the Port of Keta, to be managed by the GPHA. Despite this, residents of Keta have expressed frustration with the government’s delay in moving forward with the construction of the port.

In a recent media interview, Mr. Luguje mentioned that the government has yet to receive formal proposals from investors interested in the project.

“Whilst we are waiting for the environmental and social impact assessment, we started already engaging potential investors. So far over six different companies, local and international, have expressed interest in partnering government to build that port.

“But they also need the environmental and social impact assessment report to help them inform and refine the proposals they will be submitting to us.

“We hope that in the next month or two, if we get the report released by the EPA, then we will submit it to these investors and then they will go through and then work towards giving us much more concrete proposals on what kind of partnership they want to have with us to build and operate the Port of Keta.”