GSA will collaborate with Meridian Port Services for Port Efficiency

Accra, June 10, GNA – The Director General of
Alex Dodoo, Professor at the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), led a delegation
of authority on a familiarization tour of the extension of the port of Tema
Project.

The visit consists of getting acquainted with the
operations of the new terminal.

Professor Dodoo also had talks with Mr.
Mohamed Samara, President and CEO of Meridian Port Services
(MPS), the company undertaking the Port Expansion Project, is implementing both
institutions can work together to make the port more efficient.

The CEO of MPS brought the GSA team through a
presentation, showing the outstanding achievements of the different phases of the
project.

Professor Dodoo, having been driven around the
ultra-modern installation, was very impressed by the scope and progress of
saying that the project will make Ghana an economic giant and serve as a
vehicle for the realization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The AfCFTA, whose objectives include
to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement
business and investment, and the development of intra-African trade through
better harmonization and coordination of trade liberalization and facilitation
regimes and instruments in Africa, officially entered into force on 30 May.

"Without an ultramodern port like the
that you build in Ghana, there is no way to achieve the goals of
AfCFTA, "said Professor Dodoo, adding that his team would collaborate with
the MPS to ensure the success of the project, which, he said, "will last a long time
to accelerate Ghana's development and increase its weight in West Africa. "

"We want to see this port make the difference
in Ghana and across Africa, "he said.

Mr. Samara thanked the GSA delegation for the
visit, adding that his company was building a world-clbad port with
equipment that will strengthen Ghana's position as the seaport hub of
sub-region and boost its import-export sector.

According to him, the new port will be
capable of receiving the largest ships in the world, making it a very
important project in the annals of the country, and called on all stakeholders,
including the GSA, to support the project because the MPS is working very hard to meet
the deadline of June 28th for the completion of the project.

Professor Dodoo was accompanied by the director
Director of the Inspection Division, Ms. Felicia Adams, Director of
Director of Development, Mr. George Anti, as well as the Chief of Import Inspection,
Mr. Stephen Adu.

The MPS side also had Mr. Emmanuel
Ohene-Addo, Director of Operations, Cyrille Lemee, Chief Operating Officer of
responsible for the transition as well as Frank Ebo Brown, Head of Legal Affairs
Licenses and permits.

The GSA team also visited the different
sections of the new facility and inspected offices designated for the state
authorities / agencies, including GSA and all support services.

The ultra-modern three terminal would become
fully operational on June 28, 2019.

The fully automated terminal, estimated at
$ 1.5 billion, can accommodate 3.5 million equivalent 20 feet
unit containers (TEUs) from the previous 820,000 TEUs per year.

It will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and
would be one of the largest container terminals in Africa capable of providing
16 different port services.

The facility is equipped with modern
technology and operating systems with efficient port accessibility and great
platform to reduce shipping line turnaround times, reduce the cost of
do business between 40 and 70%, increase government revenue and
become a hub for shipping lines in Africa.

GNA