Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at the Tema Port, Mr. Paul Ansah-Asare says the outbreak of Ebola disease in neighbouring port countries -- including Nigeria and Liberia -- has not affected business activities because the vessels that call from those countries are cargo vessels with minimal foreign interaction.
Speaking to the B&FT in an interview on measures being taken by the Authority in the wake of the Ebola outbreak in neighboring port countries that do business with Ghana’s ports, he said business activities at the port have been normal aside from the cancellation of a management assessment meeting of port authorities in the sub-region that was supposed to be held in Accra, because participants from Ebola-hit countries could not get flights.
Mr. Ansah-Asare said the Tema Port currently has no cruise terminal that can enable passenger vessels to call, and that management is vigorously working to set up such a facility at the port under the first phase of the port expansion project.
“We are aware of the situation but this has not affected business in any way, the reason being that the vessels calling from those ports are cargo vessels with minimal foreign interaction.
“We are currently working to set up a cruise terminal, a Ro-Ro terminal and a container terminal under the first phase of the port expansion project. This cruise terminal will be equipped with screening facilities and other relevant security checks; and it is when we have this facility in place that we can then have cruise ships calling at the port,†he said.
Mr. Ansah however noted that management has embarked on an aggressive campaign to educate both its staff and clients about the deadly Ebola viral disease.
The campaign, he said, includes distribution of flyers and public announcements on LCD screens at various points in addition to the interventions of Port Health to ensure operators at the port are fully aware of dangers and symptoms of the disease and how it can be prevented.
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