UNCTAD concludes training course for Ghana port managers

Twenty-six middle managers from the port community of Ghana, including three women, have completed a week-long training course in Module 7 of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) TrainForTrade Port Training Programme at the Takoradi port.

UNCTAD, in a statement, said the training was carried out by local senior port managers who have been trained and certified as trainers by TrainForTrade. “This, along with the fact that the beneficiary ports contribute directly to the funding of the programme demonstrates the level of commitment from the top level of management within the ports,” it stated.

“The module has really helped me to understand the sources of port law and why we should go into marine insurance, how to manage risks in the port, and general land use and management. The tutorials helped me to appreciate how the laws are applied in legal situations,” said Mrs. Adelaide Panford of the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA).

Focused on guaranteeing local ownership and programme sustainability, and building a virtuous cycle of knowledge sharing within the participating port communities, UNCTAD/TrainForTrade harnesses and relies on local expertise for the success of its training workshops – local senior managers are responsible for the bulk of instruction.

To make this work, TrainForTrade organizes Training of Trainers and Coaches workshops to train local senior managers on how to deliver the course training material and how to transmit their many years of experience working in and managing ports.

The training covered all aspects of port management and UNCTAD explains participants were carefully selected so as to include representatives from both the private and public sector and cover the main roles within a port community.

By Ekow Quandzie