The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ghana has proposed some policy imperatives needing urgent government policy directives and action.

The leading professional body in logistics and transport, CILT Ghana’s proposals span from the rail sector, road, maritime and the country’s air space.

According to the institute, these interventions are imperative in order to promote the growth of the logistics and transport space to contribute to socio-economic development of the country.

Aviation sector

The institute is demanding the speedy establishment of a national carrier – a move it believes will boost tourism and investment drive including the promotion of international trade for the country. CILT Ghana is also requesting the completion of the Sunyani airport to help facilitate air travel to the mid-west of the country.

The institute says the Tamale airport would need an upgrade of its facilities (especially land-side) to help convert it to an international airport to serve the northern regions and neighbouring Sahelian countries, whereas government should complete the new terminal in Kumasi to upgrade it into an international airport for the mid-regions of the country.

Maritime

CILT Ghana is urging the government to also come out with a policy designed to attract cargo traffic to the Takoradi Port, thus making it to be competitive in the sub-region.

More so, it is justifying the need to explore and tap the potential of the Volta Lake for freight transport and eco-tourism.

Roads and highways

CILT Ghana believes there should be a national plan to effectively connect all 16 regional capitals with a good road network and ‘dualise’ key highways to reduce travel time, needless road crashes, and death. “Elubo-Accra-Aflao and Accra-Kumasi-Paga highways may be earmarked for urgent dualisation.” The institute added.

Road safety

CILT Ghana says it does not support the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes (Okada). It says Parliament must pass a law to make motorcycles unattractive instead of amending Regulation 128 of (2012) L.I 2180 to allow the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes. The Institute is also advising against commercial use because it prioritises the loss of lives over income loss.

“There are other viable options for livelihoods which must be explored.” It is demanding the government to step up efforts to help reduce the fatalities on the road, which is unsustainably high (more than 2000 deaths in the past three years).

The institute believes in order to facilitate passenger and traffic flow, there’s the need to introduce a light rail system to operate in the high densely populated areas, like Accra to Kasoa, and Kotoka International Airport to the Central Business District.

Urban transportation

According to CILT Ghana, there is the need for effective urban transport planning in major cities of Ghana toe ease the unbearable vehicular congestion.

“Fast-track the establishment of a Road Transport Regulatory Body to help bring sanity in the public transport system”, it added.

Trade and business

CILT is recommending a policy direction that encourages the importation or production of electric vehicles in the country through fiscal measures to help protect the environment.

The institute said there is the need to complete the Boankra Inland Port to lessen the pressure on Tema Port.

It added "we need to strengthen and support local manufacturers to continue to produce for local consumption to help achieve import-substitution post covid-19."

CILT Ghana has assured the government that it will avail its wealth of knowledge and expertise to support in achieving the above recommendations whenever consulted.

It has however commended the President H.E. Nana Akufo Addo for leading the country to win the bid for hosting the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Ghana, which it says would go a long way to position Ghana as the continent's financial capital. “This will undoubtedly create jobs and boost our intra-African trade.” It added.

About CILT Ghana

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is the leading International Professional Body for Supply Chain, Logistics and Transport.

CILT Ghana was established in 1965 and incorporated as a professional body in Ghana in 1981.

It has four sections namely; Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Takoradi.

CILT Ghana has accredited eleven (11) Universities, Technical Universities and Colleges to run its professional programmes in the supply chain, logistics and transport to help contribute to the development of these industries and Ghana.