Netherlands Agree To Set Up Training Institute At Tema Port


The Ports Development Partnership, PDP, Africa-Netherland has signed a Memorandum of understanding with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, GPHA, at a ceremony in Tema, to set up a training institute at the Tema Port.
 
This will facilitate knowledge exchange for the Development of the Maritime and Transport Sectors in Ghana. 

Radio Ghana’s Correspondent Lily Ahulu was at the signing ceremony repots that the Port Development Partnership is a unique collaboration between 18 Dutch public and private business partners, knowledge Institutes and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Accra, working together with local and regional stakeholders in achieving sustainable and long term development of Africa’s main ports. 

The signing of the MOU was between the GPHA and STC-B.V, the authority on training, technical assistance and research for the maritime and transport related industries in the Netherlands, who are also members of the Port Development Partnership.  

The Director General at the GPHA, Richard Anamoo who initialed on behalf of the GPHA, stressed the importance of training, saying the Maritime Industry is a challenging sector and as such must be staffed with technically competent people. 

He said as the country sets off on its ports expansion projects, such people will be needed to take on the technical expects of port operation, particular on its offshore operations. 

He expressed appreciation to their Dutch partners who are willing to share their renowned Knowledge in the Maritime sector for the benefit of the country and Africa as a whole. 

The Dutch Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilliane Ploumen who witnessed the signing, said port development requires an inclusive approach, in which all actors involved are combined. 

She maintained that the public and private sectors as well as knowledge institutes from different fields such as ports, logistics and infrastructure have to work together more closely to ensure a long term inclusive development. 

Mrs. Ploumen added that knowledge transfer enlarges and embeds human capital, resulting in more efficient, safer, cost effective and sustainable port and terminal operations.

Meanwhile the Dutch Minister, Mrs. Lillian Ploumen has also toured the offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority at the Tema port to fraternize herself with their operations. 

She said the visit is to promote good business relations between Ghana and the Netherlands. 

She urged the Authority to continue with their better customs and tax system since it is one of the solutions to the economic crisis is currently facing.

GBC