News
Dedicated cruise vessel for Takoradi Port
The Takoradi Port is set to establish a dedicated cruise ship terminal to promote tourism within Ghana’s maritime domain, the Port Director, Peter Amo-Bediako, has hinted.
“This year, under the auspices of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), we anticipate receiving proposals for developing a cruise ship or passenger terminal through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement,” he explained.
Mr Amo-Bediako announced this at a press soiree on Monday.
The initiative, he explained, was consistent with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA’s) strategic vision to enhance tourism and maritime connectivity within Ghana.
Already, he reported that, cruise or passenger ship calls recorded a 100 per cent growth, increasing from seven cruise vessel calls, at the end of November 2023, to 14 cruise vessel calls, at the end of November 2024.
Mr Amo-Bediako told the journalists that, in June 2024, the Elmina Port was handed over to GPHA and placed under Takoradi Port, and that was the first time a cruise vessel anchored at Elmina.
He said the facilitators of the tourist vessel anticipates bringing into Ghana another vessel for the same purpose.
“We expect to collaborate with GTA as to how to build the terminal to meet the growing tourists’ interest in Ghana and we’ll see how best this come to fruition,” Mr Amo-Bediako said.
He added “These achievements reflect our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction, but also, most importantly, they reflect the positive brand image generated by the professional coverage and reportage by you and the media”
On health, the Takoradi Port Director spoke about the opening of the GPHA Medical Diagnostic Centre in April 2024, following a commitment made in 2023.
The GPHA’s state-of-the-art Medical Diagnostic Centre, according to Mr Amo- Bediako, now delivers exceptional healthcare services to the port community and the wider population.
He indicated that GPHA would this year, procure a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, adding that, research showed that, there was no MRI in Western North, Western and Central Regions, and so, patients need to travel all the way to Accra, for such services.
The Police have arrested two suspects, including the alleged gang leader, in connection with the robbery attack on the Berekum Chelsea football team that resulted in the death of one of the players.
According to a Police update, the arrests were made after intelligence-led operations by security personnel.
One of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds during an exchange of fire with the police.
He has since been taken to a hospital where he is receiving medical treatment, while the other suspect remains in police custody assisting with investigations.
The Police indicated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang linked to the attack.
They assured the public that more details will be provided as investigations progress.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Dramani Mahama has arrived in Brazzaville to attend the investiture ceremony of Denis Sassou N’Guesso.
The ceremony follows the re-election of President Sassou N’Guesso for another five year term as leader of the Republic of the Congo.
President Mahama travelled to Brazzaville shortly after launching his Free Primary Healthcare Programme in Dodowa.
He is expected to return to Accra after the ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning.
By: Jacob Aggrey
