The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority has in recent times been spending a lot of resources to develop its IT infrastructure. The GPHA says it intends to transform all Port operating systems to IT and electronic base as against the existing manually operated systems.
This is what necessitated a round table discussion between GPHA and the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) at the Royal Nick Hotel on Thursday 5thJune, 2014.
The meeting offered GPHA the opportunity to highlight challenges hindering its dream of reaching a web-base and electronically operated port community which includes its operations in the Inland countries of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
At the round table discussion, Director General of GPHA, Richard A.Y. Anamoo sought how GPHA?? could have its own platform or ride on the back of GCNet to have a port community that will render services to all who have to do business with the port even beyond the shores of Ghana electronically and efficiently. ?I have been part of discussions to see what can be done as far as the port community is concerned so I will seize the opportunity to ask GCNET what can be done to bring this to fruition. We also need to look at some challenges within the port that need to be addressed?. The DG stated.
He questioned why the port has to wait for the electronic systems of customs to break down and engage in blame games stressing that there is an urgent need for GCNet to look at the performance of the ports and its challenges and address them to enhance total efficiency.
?I can say of a fact that we will like to run the port on electronic base and nothing less than that. We have gone ahead to install certain systems. We currently have the ERP which I believe you know and we are coming up with the terminal operating system. He said.
Mr. Anamoo reminded the participants that the Port is growing, leading to expanded terminals hence the need for reliable, modern and well organized electronic ways of operation is inevitable.
?The entire Takoradi port is going to be a major oil center. How do we address this in terms of the traffic, electronically? We strongly believe that when we perform better, the rest will cope. Because we generate the revenue for the country?. He revealed.
The Director General of GPHA therefore proposed the establishment of a joint implementation group or team which will ensure the operationalization of some common areas of agreed interests.
On his part, the General Manager of GCNet, Alwin Hoegerle said he believes that there must be a port community system with IT and electronic base in full operation. He said GCNet is happy to partner GPHA to improve best ways of doing business.
