The Director of Planning, Development & Urban Settlement of the National Planning Development Council, Mr Steve Akuffo has outlined infrastructural development programs aimed at strengthening the country’s transportation system. Mr Steve Akuffo made this revelation at a bilateral exchange forum held at La Palm from January 30 to February 4 between delegates from the US Port of Virginia/Virginia Port Authority and the Ghana Port Authority as well as a cross section of leaders in the maritime, trade and transportation industries in Ghana. Mr Akuffo said Ghana was poised to realise the construction of an all-weather road network that will cover all the three main corridors of the country, taking advantage of the two main ports at Tema and Takoradi. The top level delegates from the US comprises Mr Rodney Oliver, Deputy Executive Director & CFO, and Mr Russell Held, Deputy Executive Director of Development, Virginia Port Authority, were on a five day visit to Ghana where they held meetings with management of both the Tema and Takoradi ports. With Ghana now lifting oil, it is of the utmost importance that the maritime sector refocuses and be abreast with maritime issues to operate at internationally acceptable standards. The bilateral maritime exchange, facilitated by Prism Corporate Investment Ghana Ltd, is therefore considered to have come at the opportune time. Speaking at the forum, Mr Russell Held explained that their visit was to dialogue with their counterparts in Ghana to find solutions to the challenges facing the maritime sector and seek avenues to develop trade partnership between Ghana and America. The delegation met several top level business executives in Ghana including some at UT Logistics and Antrak. Discussions generally focused on bridging the gap and challenges confronting the transport and maritime industries, co-operation & Coordinating maritime transport activities between the USA, Ghana and West Africa, and security and threats to the maritime industry by pirates. Source: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana