New Volta Lake Port to Boost Cargo Movement, Decongest Tema Port – Transport Minister
The Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has paid a working visit to the Volta Lake Transport Limited (VLTL) to inspect ongoing works towards the establishment of a new port that will complement the existing facility and position inland water transport as a critical transport network to decongest Tema Port.
The proposed port forms part of the Government’s ambitious strategy to develop an integrated multimodal transport system that will also reduce pressure on the country’s road infrastructure and facilitate the efficient movement of cargo to northern Ghana and neighbouring landlocked countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger through a more reliable and cost-effective transport network.
The visit enabled the Minister to assess the progress of ongoing infrastructure works, engage management and staff on operational challenges, and outline the government’s long-term vision for transforming Volta Lake transport into a modern cargo and passenger transportation corridor.
Addressing management and staff after the inspection, Hon. Bukari Nikpe described Volta Lake as one of Ghana’s greatest but underutilised national assets, stressing that government is determined to maximise its economic potential through strategic investment in ports, barges and cargo-handling infrastructure. He explained that the Ministry’s objective is to create a seamless transport chain linking rail, inland water and road transport into one efficient logistics system.
“Our thinking is to decongest the Port of Tema by creating a multimodal transport system. Goods will move by rail from Tema to Mpakadan, continue by lake transport to Buipe, and then be transported by road to other parts of northern Ghana and the landlocked neighbours,” the Minister stated.
According to him, the integrated system will significantly reduce congestion on major highways, prolong the lifespan of newly constructed roads, and improve the efficiency of Ghana’s freight transport sector.
The Minister applauded the management and staff of VLTL for their dedication and resilience despite operational challenges, noting that their commitment has been instrumental in the progress achieved by the company. He encouraged the staff to maintain the momentum, assuring them that the projects currently underway would become one of the landmark achievements under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
As part of the broader logistics strategy, the Minister announced the government’s intention to construct a round port at Mpakadan to facilitate the loading of containers and other cargo onto barges operating on the Volta Lake.
He explained that the facility would serve as a vital interchange between rail and inland water transport, enabling containers arriving from Tema to be transferred efficiently onto lake vessels destined for Buipe and beyond.
The staff of Volta Lake Transport Limited expressed profound appreciation to the Minister for his visit, describing it as historic. According to the workers, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe is the first Minister for Transport to visit the facility in the past ten years, a gesture they said had significantly boosted morale and renewed confidence in the future of the company.
They assured the Minister of their unwavering commitment to supporting the government’s vision of revitalising inland water transport and requested him to convey their dedication and achievements to the President.
The staff noted that the Minister’s personal interaction with employees demonstrated the government’s willingness to engage directly with frontline workers and appreciate their contribution to national development.
The new port project forms a central component of Ghana’s intermodal transport agenda, which seeks to integrate the country’s maritime, railway, inland water and road transport systems into a unified logistics framework. Under the proposed model, Cargo arriving at the Port of Tema will be transported by rail to Mpakadan. Containers will then be transferred onto barges across the Volta Lake to Buipe, and from Buipe, goods will continue by road to northern Ghana and neighbouring landlocked countries.
The system is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve turnaround time for cargo and minimise the heavy concentration of freight vehicles on Ghana’s highways.
The project is also expected to stimulate economic growth along the Volta Lake by creating new opportunities in trade, agriculture, tourism, warehousing and transport services.
Communities situated along the lake are expected to benefit from improved connectivity, while businesses will gain access to safer and more efficient alternatives for transporting bulk cargo and passengers.
The development also aligns with the government’s broader objective of enhancing regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening transport links between Ghana and neighbouring economies.
Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe expressed optimism that the ongoing transformation of the VLTL would become a model for public sector excellence. He urged management and staff to work together in rebuilding the institution, saying he was confident that within the next two years the company would become one of the country’s most viable transport agencies.
“We are blessed with this resource, and the best thing is to utilise it. I believe that two years from now, we will all be proud that we are building the Ghana we want together,” he said.
The Minister’s visit underscores the government’s renewed commitment to unlocking the enormous potential of inland water transport and ensuring that the Volta Lake becomes a strategic engine for trade, industry and sustainable national development.
