President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has received praise from Isaac Afum, the chief executive officer of Ashanti Ports Services Limited and concessionaire of the Boankra Inland Port in the Ashanti Region, for his support and confidence in choosing a local concessionaire for the development of the Boankra Inland Port.
The Ghana Shippers Authority and the Minister of Transportation also received expressions of gratitude from Mr. Afum for their ongoing assistance. He also expressed his gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, for his assistance, counsel, and unwavering support in advancing the project.
Following an evaluation of the project’s development, representatives of Ashanti Ports Services Limited toured the site.
According to sources, as the subcontractor on-site, Justmoh Construction Limited works around the clock to complete various construction tasks, and the much-discussed project is gradually taking shape.
The contractor is now working on leveling the ground for the terminal and commercial area as well as building drainage and other earthworks.
Recall that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority purchased shares in the project earlier this year and is now a shareholder in it.
After leading authorities on the tour, Mr. Afum expressed his admiration for the level of advancement and quality of the work completed at that time.
He stated that the contractor was on schedule and that, barring any obstacles, they anticipate having the work finished and in operation by November of the following year. Plans to add two additional contractors to the present one are far advanced, according to him, in order to guarantee the project’s early completion.
He also informed journalists that more money for the project had been secured, with the Africa Export-Import Bank (Afeximbank) pledging about $280 million and another Italian financier providing an extra $100 million.
After President Akufo-Addo broke the sod for the project, which had been postponed for years, the contract for the start of work on it was granted in November 2020.
Mr. Afum was certain that the project’s completion will increase economic opportunities in the Region and, in addition, provide jobs for the general public, particularly young people, through direct and indirect employment.
Jarrar Saddique, the project manager for the Boankra Inland Port, gave a briefing to the media on the status of the construction.
In an interview, Nana Bugyei, the board chairman of Ashanti Ports Services Limited, also expressed his support for the project’s successful conclusion.
