The Europe Business Assembly (EBA), an international corporation for the evolution and implementation of economic and social development has honoured the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) with “Best Enterprise” award for being a leader of the maritime transport industry in Africa.

At the impressive ceremony in London, the Director General of GPHA, Richard Anamoo was also honoured as the Manager of the Year, 2015 and as an honourable member of the International Club of Leaders with personal certificate from Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The award was in recognition of GPHA’s strong position in the national market, the company’s status in international ratings; the use of modern management technologies, high staff qualification and a successful marketing strategy.

Richard Anamoo said the authority is leaving no stone unturned to facilitate trade in the country and the sub-region and also offer first class customer services citing the re-positioning of the Takoradi Port through an extensive expansion and modernization programme to better serve the needs of the oil and gas, mining and trading sectors.

He said: “What we are doing in Takoradi Port is to expand the port to take care of the bulk carriers in terms of bauxite, manganese also cement that is coming in.

“Also, because Takoradi Port is closer to the oil fields we have to create the facility for oil service vessels in order for them to come in quickly and load so we are providing several berthing facilities,” he noted.

In a related development, Otherways Management and Consulting, organizers of the Majestic 5 Continent Award for quality and excellent Industries based in Paris, France has awarded Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) with “Total Quality Management Award” in recognition of higher performance customer satisfaction, at a colorful ceremony held in Berlin, Germany.

The Director of Tema Port Jacob Adorkor, who received the award on behalf of the GPHA, assured the organizers and other participants at the ceremony that management will do all it can to make the country’s two ports world class.

In late 2015, the two ports were adjudged the best in West and Central Africa at a ceremony in Abidjan. The Institute of Public Relations Ghana, has also awarded the GPHA as the “Best Public Relations Organization” and “Best Campaign”.

Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority is the statutory public organization mandated to build, operate, maintain and regulate seaports in Ghana. The Authority owns and operates two ports in Tema and Takoradi, with the latter being re-positioned through an extensive expansion and modernization programme to better serve the needs of the oil and gas, mining and trading sectors.

The company also leases out plant and equipment to a wide range of service providers with a major corporate strategic direction to secure win-win partnerships with the private sector to enhance efficiency in service delivery, improve financial viability and drive the modernization and development of the ports.

The authority is seeking to position the country’s ports as the trade and investment gateway to the West African sub-region on the bigger vision of making Ghana’s ports the leading maritime hub and the beacon of trade and commerce in West Africa.