The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to take strategic interventions to ensure the completion of the Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT), formerly known as Boankra Inland Port Project, to boost and enhance shipping and logistics activities in the country.
The project, a major trade infrastructure investment, remains a top priority under Ghana’s logistics and transport development agenda.
Mr Prince Henry Ankrah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA), in charge of Operations, made this known during a familiarisation visit to the BILT site by shippers and stakeholders from the Middle Zone.
The visit was aimed at enabling importers and exporters to engage the project managers, assess progress firsthand, and contribute suggestions toward the advancement of the project.
The inland port infrastructure includes bonded warehouses, Container Freight Stations (CFS), a terminal operating area, a mechanical workshop, a fire station, an electricity sub-station, and other supporting facilities.
Mr. Ankrah emphasised the importance of the project, stating that its completion was vital to transforming the national economy and strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness in regional trade.
Dr. John Koranteng-York, the Project Director, who briefed stakeholders, noted that Phase One of the project was about 80 percent complete and nearing operational readiness.
According to him, once operational, BILT would reduce transportation costs by an estimated 14 percent for cargo from the Takoradi Port and 48 percent for cargo from the Tema Port.
He added that the facility will also serve Ghana’s neighbouring countries, as well as the middle and northern sectors, while easing congestion at the Tema and Takoradi ports.
Dr Koranteng-York indicated that the terminal would ultimately be linked to the national railway grid.
The availability of ready cargo, he said, will significantly enhance rail operations and improve cargo movement to the middle belt, northern Ghana, and the landlocked countries.
He said the Project was restructured at a point to improve the quality of work being done.
Mr. John Baker Glover, Manager at the Kumasi Branch of GSA, assured shippers in the middle zone that they would soon benefit from the project, saying that GSA was committed to its completion.
Some of the shippers called on the government to involve more contractors to speed up the project.
