Road Transport Policy is in the Offing

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - The ministries of Transportation, Aviation and Ports Railways and Harbours are in the process of preparing a National Transport policy that which would inform, regulate and give strategic direction and focus to the transport needs of the nation.

In this direction, a national workshop to solicit local inputs is to be held early next year to obtain contributions for the National Transport document that will serve as a holistic guide to developments in the transport sector.
Mr Magnus Opare-Asamoah, the Deputy Minister of Transportation, announced this at the maiden Ghana Transport and Logistics Awards night held in Accra.
He said the absence of such a framework had been a major constraint in the development of the sector, leading to unbalanced investment in the country's air, rail, sea and road transport sectors. "Until recently, investment in our air, sea, rail and road transport services have lagged behind the vast investment in roads infrastructure."
The awards, put together by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), are to recognise individuals and institutions that have contributed immensely to the growth of the sector.
Mr Opare-Asamoah said the formulation of the document underscored the determination of the government to put in place credible and workable structures to guide and regulate the country's policy choices and decisions in the transportation sector.
"It is my hope that all of you gathered here will actively participate in this important forum so that at the end of it all we would have a credible National Transport document which would serve the interest of all," he said.
Mr Opare-Asamoah said the country's vision of becoming a gateway to the sub-region could only be realised if stakeholders supported and cooperated with the government.
He appealed to the sector players to provide efficient and reliable delivery of service to meet customer needs and to ensure timely delivery of goods, saying delayed or late delivery was poor and unacceptable service.
Mr Opare-Asamoah also called on operators in the sector to make continuous staff training and development a major element of their operations.
He said human resource development was key in getting a core of competent personnel with vision in the field of transportation to ensure the success of the industry.
"There should be continuous staff training and the development of performance based remuneration so that all staff are motivated to ensure their commitment in attaining good corporate objectives," he said. Mr Opare-Asamoah, therefore, asked human resource directors in the transport sector to take full advantage of the CILT Certificate Course being organised by the Institute and GIMPA.
Mr Teete Owusu-Nortey, Coordinator of the Awards, said it would be impossible to provide and sustain quality transport services without motivating the key players in the sector.
The awards are, therefore, being introduced to recognise and award these stars and encourage others to emulate their essential contribution to the country's ongoing growth.
Winners of the Ghana Transport and Logistics Awards 2005 included Metro Mass Transit Limited, DHL Ghana Limited, Department of Urban Roads, Emirates Airlines and Antrak Air.
Alhaji Asoma Banda, owner of Antrak Air, was adjudged the Transport Personality of the Year 2005.