The Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has directed the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, to investigate allegations of unjustifiable staff promotions within the Authority.

During a courtesy visit to GPHA, Mr Nikpe emphasised that promotions should be based on merit and fairness, rather than political affiliations. 

He stressed that GPHA is a business entity and should operate with professionalism and efficiency, instead of allowing political considerations to influence its internal decisions.

"The port is a business hub, and all decisions made must reflect that reality. Promotions should be fair and justified, not politically motivated," the Minister stated.

The directive is expected to restore transparency and integrity within GPHA’s human resource management, ensuring that promotions are granted equitably and based on competence.

He said he would not support political promotions, and charged the DG to investigate such promotions and reverse them if need be, saying promotions should not be premised on political affiliations but rather on merit and equity.

“The President is right to describe Ghana as a crime scene; so that if in one year someone is promoted three times over others who have been waiting for 10 years, it’s not a fair labour practice,” he stressed.

The Minister added that the port was a business centre and it must be seen as such, instead of taking decisions based solely on politics.

Brigadier-General Tanye-Kulono, welcoming the Minister and his entourage, revealed that “there is no equity when it comes to promotions. I have learnt something called protocol promotions, where some are promoted two to three times a year, while others mark time.”

He said he was looking into the issue and, with the support of the Minister, all those caught in the web would be dealt with.

Touching on other issues at the port, he announced that the dredging of the Tema Port had been captured in the GPHA’s 2025 budget and that the work had been delayed for three days.

He indicated that the port depth was currently eight feet, and needed to be dredged to a minimum of 12 feet to ensure that bigger ships could visit and turnover.