Transport
From The Report: Ghana 2016
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Rapid economic development, demographic growth and regional dynamics have put increasing pressure on Ghana’s transportation system over the past decade, and it has at times struggled to keep pace. Rather than allow the transportation sector to become a victim of the country’s success, the government has pushed forward infrastructure development projects, with the private sector encouraged to take a major role in finance, construction and management. The importance of private participation in transport infrastructure has become ever more apparent in recent years. Although Ghana’s public resources remain limited, pressure on its transportation system has increased due to economic and population growth, as well as a rise in visitor numbers and trade, including with the landlocked countries to the north.

This section contains interviews with Peder Sondergaard, CEO of Africa and Middle East Region, APM Terminals, and Geoffrey White, CEO, Agility.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Gaining momentum: Transport infrastructure upgrades take shape in cooperation with the private sector
OBG
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Rapid economic development, demographic growth and regional dynamics have put increasing pressure on Ghana’s transportation system over the past decade, and it has at times struggled to keep pace. Rather than allow the transportation sector to become a victim of the country’s success, the government has pushed forward infrastructure development projects, with the private sector encouraged to take a major role in finance, construction and management. The economic slowdown of 2013-14 gave some…

Analysis

Time for Tema: Investment in the country’s largest port continues
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Tema, around 20 km to the east of Accra, is Ghana’s largest port, handling around 70% of its international maritime trade, and most of its imports. It is also an important maritime gateway for the landlocked countries to Ghana’s north, though it faces rising competition from other coastal neighbours. The port is home to one of the country’s most successful public-private partnerships (PPPs), often cited as a model for future transport infrastructure projects. Tema entered a new phase of development…

Interview

Ports of call: OBG talks to Peder Sondergaard, CEO of Africa and Middle East Region, APM Terminals
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Interview: Peder Sondergaard What can African ports do to increase their share of trans-shipment activity? PEDER SONDERGAARD: Essentially, the movement of trans-shipment containers has to be seamless. To ensure this, trans-shipment operations should be independent from other shipping. Ideally trans-shipment could take place in a free zone area, or the processes could run in the background so that general shipping never disturbs the flow of trans-shipment containers in terms of speed, reliability…

Interview

Essential investments: OBG talks to Geoffrey White, CEO, Agility
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Interview:Geoffrey White What potential does Ghana offer as a trans-shipment and transit centre for nearby countries? GEOFFREY WHITE: I think Ghana is the natural gateway to West Africa. It has political stability and a strong economy in the medium and long term, supported by cocoa and oil, and is well positioned to become the centre for regional distribution. However, the efficiency of cross-border trade in West Africa is very poor and, as a result, trade within the region is estimated to…

Analysis

Up and away: Upgrading facilities and expanding capacity at the nation’s airports
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For some years, the development of Ghana’s airport infrastructure lagged behind economic growth. Accra’s airport, the gateway to the country, came under pressure from rising passenger numbers, while major regional centres lacked the connectivity that could have helped them better tap into the country’s growth. Now the government, backed by international financial institutions, is addressing the issue, with a range of investment projects expanding capacity and a view to supporting economic and…