Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, stated that the administration has implemented a variety of initiatives aimed at lowering the overall cost of doing business. This initiative is at to boosting investor confidence in the country.
“Our focus has therefore, been on improving infrastructure and service delivery through road network rehabilitation and expansion, railway rehabilitation and re-development, modernisation of our various ports and the creation of a digital economy,” he went on to say.
With the emergence of new trade routes through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which has the unique opportunity to enhance inter-African trade and industrialisation, the President stated that the government was determined to invest in logistics infrastructure to support the growing continental market.
In a speech read on his behalf at the Chartered Institute of Supply Chain Management (CISCM’s) maiden recognition and Awards Dinner Night in Accra, President Akufo-Addo said that expansion works at the Tema Port have been completed to increase its capacity to handle the increasing volumes of traffic.
The event, themed ‘Integrated Supply Chain Management: A Catalyst for Development,’ recognized 31 organizations, institutions, and people in the sector for their outstanding performance during the previous year. The President, whose speech was read by Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, stated that at the Takoradi Port, phase one of the On-Dock Multi-Purpose terminal had been completed, while the Tamale airport had also been upgraded to international status, and the Kumasi airport was nearing completion.
“I would also like to point out that the completion of the Mpakadan railway line will improve freight operations around the Volta Lake.As we go toward an Integrated Supply Chain Management System, it is critical that we form partnerships across the global supply chain to remain competitive and promote growth and development,” he said
President Akufo-Addo told CISCM that the future of supply chain management would present unprecedented challenges and opportunities, emphasizing that “we must continue to champion innovation, diversity, sustainability, and ethical practices.” He emphasized that doing so allows us to ensure that our supply chain is not only resilient, but also responsive and inclusive.
Earlier, in his welcome address, CISCM President Richard Okrah stated that the organization was a professional body comprised of 100 industry leaders, academics, and top-level government decision makers. He described CISCM as a discipline that drives the free flow of commodities and services, without which national growth, international and effective economic development suffer.
The Dwantoahene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area in the Eastern Region, Baffuor Yaw Agyemang Gyekye I, and Chairman of the Event’s Planning Committee, stated that the CISCM’s governing council decided to set aside the second Saturday in January each year to recognise, celebrate, honour, and reward individuals, institutions, organisations, and communities that have achieved excellence and remarkable success in various CISCM categories. Tullow Ghana Limited was named the Overall Best Organisation for 2023 after winning multiple accolades in various categories.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) received an award in the Planning, Strategies, and Policies category, as did the Jospong Group of Companies for Sustainability and the McDan Group for International Trade and Projects.
Ms. Otuko John Teye of Tullow received the CISCM Woman of the Year award, while Dr. Daniel McKorley, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of McDan Group, was named the CISCM Man of the Year.
