The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has been asked to “hasten slowly” with its ongoing port automation programme, as it threatens job security in the sector.
The GPHA is embarking on an aggressive port automation drive -- toward attaining an e-port and as part of efforts to boost port operations on the back of surging and steady growth in cargo throughput at the country’s two ports.
But the board chairman of the authority, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo -- speaking at ICHCA’s seminar on port safety and cargo handling in Tema, directed that GPHA should take a second look at the ongoing exercise.
He advised the port operator to look at areas where it is absolutely necessary to automate, and where possible ensure that there is balance between preserving manual work and going electronic.
He said in his remarks: “Given the current issue of unemployment in the country, it would be prudent that ongoing automation of the country’s ports be ‘hastened slowly’ in the interest of job security.
“Let us -- GPHA continue to engage manual hands so that we will keep engaging the teeming unemployed youth to benefit from the ports; otherwise, if we do 100 percent automation, you and I know its implications on the economy.”
Mr. Ampofo indicated that per what he observed in sister ports where operations have been massively automated, he is convinced that the ongoing exercise will improve port efficiency and reduce costs -- but it will also increase the already dire unemployment situation in the country.
“It is evident that the ongoing port automation has pushed fear down the spines of freight-forwarders, clearing agents and related actors,” he said.
The ninth general assembly of the Canary/Africa Regional Chapter of the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) was hosted by the GPHA and brought together port authorities, shipping lines, government agencies and services companies in the sector to discuss challenges in the port industry.
The three-day event was on the theme ‘New challenges for the ports sector’.
The increase in containerised cargo and size of ships has pushed ports and terminals to modernise and expand port infrastructure, as well as make operations efficient and financially viable.
The International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) is an independent organisation dedicated to improving security, sustainability, productivity and efficiency.
ICHCA International has membership on six continents in 37 nations.
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