Minority questions viability of ongoing Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal project

The Minority in Parliament has questioned the viability of the ongoing Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal Project in the Ashanti Region.

The project which was envisioned under the Kufour administration was supposed to ease cargo traffic at Tema and Takoradi ports but has suffered countless delays.

President Akufo-Addo once again cut sod for the project which has been handed to a private developer just before the 2020 elections.

Government has assured the project will be ready by the end of 2024.

But speaking to Starr News minority chief whip and spokesperson on road and transport Governs Kwame Agbodza pointed out the rail lines linking Tema Port to Boankra to ensure viability of the project is not yet in place and thus questioned the rush.

The Adaklu MP further questioned the basis for some financial commitments from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority in an arrangement that is supposed to be privately funded.

“I have also had concerns about an amount of money that was paid by Ghana Port and Harbours Authority as an investment into that project without a clarity as to why that decision. We are still not clear about it; we are going to look into that one also. Recently, when the AfDB had a conference here I say a news item $300 million by AfDB is going to be used to complete Boankra Inland Port. As far as we are aware that is still another kind of talk in the media by government with nothing on paper to show for it.

Governs Kwame Agbodza added: “The concern is not for some buildings and a concrete surface to be built in Boankra, it is about having the integrated system that links Tema Port, Takoradi Port to Boankra with the necessary features to handle cargo that if not handled at Tema will congest the Port. It is just the same way you will see Auditor General Report talking about monies required to renovate Keta Port, is there a Port at Keta? You go and put containers and roof them and waste money on somebody called Director of Port, Keta and you had the guts to request for further money to do something at Keta Port, which is a waste of money. So we are not proofing that this country is in trouble, it appears everybody els can see the trouble, except those in government.”