General News of Monday, 28 August 2006

Source: GNA

Ghana to get transport policy soon -Anane

Takoradi, Aug. 28, GNA - Dr. Richard Winfred Anane, Minister of Transportation on Monday stressed the need for the country's road network to operate effectively and efficiently.

He said Ghana could become the transport hub within the West African Sub-region when it provided reliable, affordable and integrated access to social and economic resources.

Dr. Anane made the call at the launching of the first zonal consultative workshop on the formulation of a National Transport Policy Document (NTPD) at Takoradi.

He said the NTPD when completed would assist the country to develop a 20-year Transport Master Plan and a 10-year Transport Sector Development Programme (TSDP).

Dr. Anane noted that the NTPD would promote the creation of a platform for periodic dialogue between civil society and stakeholders to review the document.

He said efforts should be made to link the country's marine, air and rail transport systems and in addition improve other road services. Dr. Anane expressed regret that there was no dialogue between providers and users of transport infrastructure and services. "Complains from the air, road, shippers and rail freight users must be recognised and attention paid to the consumer during the planning and execution of all transport facilities and services."

"This consultation process is aimed at putting the destiny of the transport system in the hands of the people," Dr. Anane added. Dr. Anane however, cautioned that the consultation process should be non-partisan for the document to become applicable to all and sundry. Mr. John Osei-Asamoah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Transportation noted that inadequate financial capacity had affected the transportation infrastructure and services therefore; several unstructured additions had been made to existing national roads. Mr. Osei-Asamoah noted that some policies on transportation were obsolete and irrelevant to current transportation needs while other agencies without mandate in the sector formulated policies that were parallel to the national policies.

He said focus of the new policy would aim at developing, maintaining and operating an effective transportation system that supported trade, agro-industry and conformed to the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS II).

Additionally, Mr. Osei-Asamoah said the policy was expected to promote safety and security, improve accessibility and mobility for transport users including the poor, physically challenged, elderly, women and children in all transport modes of the country. He noted that the policy was also expected to promote Information Communication and Technology (ICT) in all transport systems and improve service delivery.