On Tuesday and Wednesday 12th and 13th July 2022, the Local Labour Unions of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) staged an industrial action over the handling of 20% container traffic. However, Management wishes to assure the general public that calm has returned to the Port of Tema and vessel activities have resumed.
A press release in Accra stated that the Authority has between 12.00 a.m. to midday Thursday July 14 sailed and berthed 11 vessels.
“The Authority regrets the hold up of vessel operations in the port and extends its apologies to all stakeholders including the Shipping Lines, Importers and Exporters, Freight Forwarders, Transporters and Transit Partners,” the press release stated.
It noted that that when the original concession agreement between MPS and GPHA was signed in 2015, it did not include the 20% container traffic share for GPHA. The 2015 contract allowed MPS to exclusively handle all container traffic.
“However, an appeal was made to the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to intervene, culminating in a Cabinet decision in 2019 for MPS to cede 20% share of container traffic to GPHA,” the release stated.
The release stated that upon the Cabinet decision, Management of GPHA and MPS have held several discussions and negotiations to work out the technical and financial details needed for implementation.
“The GPHA Unions however felt the implementation had delayed, hence the agitation on the 12th and 13th July 2022,” the release stated.
The statement went on that on Tuesday July 12, 2022 the Director General and Management again met with MPS on the matter, after which Management appealed to the Unions to call off the industrial action with an assurance that a resolution was imminent by Thursday July 14, 2022.
They said that after a crunch meeting on Wednesday July 13, 2022 involving the Minister for Transport, a Deputy Minister for Transport, the Board Chairman, the Director-General, the Director of Port of Tema and the Chief Executive Officer of MPS, a letter was issued under the hand of the CEO of MPS, Mohammed Samara indicating the willingness of MPS to cede the handling of the 20% gateway container traffic to GPHA for two years effective 1st August, 2022. 5.
The Management assured all staff of its commitment to ensure effective implementation.
“The Authority reiterates its resolve to continue delivering efficient services in a safe and secure environment to its valued stakeholders,” the statement said.
It was signed by Esther Gyebi-Donkor (Mrs.) General Manager, Marketing And Corporate Affairs and dated 14th July, 2022.
