GHANA : MPS, STRATEGIC ENGINE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, DONATES GEAR TO FISHERFOLKS
To further boost the fishing industry along its catchment area, Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) has donated 2,000 bundles of fishing nets (total 20,000 units of fishing nets), 30 Yamaha 40 horsepower outboard motors and 2 Large Fishing Canoes with accessories worth USD 500,000.00 (close to six million Ghana Cedis) to fishing communities in the Greater Accra Region.
At a ceremony to hand over the items to the fisherfolk, the Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mr. Mohamed Samara spoke on the impact of MPS investment to date and the significant role that MPS plays in connecting the economy of Ghana to other economies.
It was highlighted that MPS attaches immense importance to environmental and social sustainability. To this end, MPS has set several environmental and social sustainability goals that include innovative methods to ensure the preservation of flora and fauna.
Back in 2017 MPS launched its Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources and the No-Net-Loss commitment. This is being maintained in fulfilment of the company’s Environmental Action Plans for Sea Turtle Conservation.
The program involves the safe relocation of turtle eggs at risk in their natural environment into an enclosed hatchery replicating natural conditions, creating a conducive atmosphere for them to hatch, and finally releasing the hatchlings into the ocean.
Sea turtles are “air breathing” reptiles that have roamed the Earth’s oceans for over 100 million years. They are regarded as an important link to marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, some sea turtles also eat large numbers of jellyfish which consume considerable number of fish.
He further elaborated that the MPS shareholders believe in sustainable development which creates a knock-on effect on people and economy with a positive impact on the environment.
“We are focused on the growth of human resources (direct and in direct jobs creation) by creating opportunities, boosting knowledge, skills, and we will continue to invest in the type of corporate social initiatives that will positively impact society at large” Mr. Samara said.
Need For Job Creation
Touching on the matter of employment, Mr. Samara noted that “The fishing community is very vital, and we need to sustain this industry. While we do this, we must be cautious and aware that going forward the fishing industry alone may not be able to cater for employing the future generation as our population grow. Therefore, there is a need to create opportunities for the livelihood of our upcoming generations.”
The vast and well-resourced infrastructure of Terminal 3 at Tema Port that MPS has constructed and continues to develop has created significant value to Ghana’s trade & industry as a result of connecting Ghana to various markets. Increasing trade and bigger industry will certainly mean more jobs and opportunities for the future generation.
Environmental Protection & Safety of Life at Sea
While touching on MPS’ environmental activities, the discussions reflected on the fact that one of the key things for the fishing community is the environment. Where, with regret, it was observed that the ocean is full of rubbish. “Nobody can clean the ocean. We need to work to stop the pollution so as to boost our fishing habitat” said Mr Frank Ebo Brown, the Head of Legal and Compliance at MPS.
Tema Port expansion project included the construction of 3,550 meters long breakwater, not only is this for port operations but it is also providing new spawning/nesting grounds between the rocks which serves as good fish nursery area for fishes to grow before launching into the deep where some may be caught when grown. It is therefore a key element for the benefit of nature and the sustainability of fish population in our waters.
The CEO also encouraged fisherfolk to be safety cautious in their expeditions, observe and comply with the Port Safety and Security rules and not intrude into the harbour basin and specially to avoid the breakwater area to also prevent accidents.
After receiving the fishing equipment and accessories, one of the leaders of the fishing community expressed their profound appreciation to MPS and encouraged all workers to work well to ensure the sustained development of the Port.
“When we were informed about the building of the Port and its subsequent construction, we were not happy however we have seen the immense benefits that it has brought to our community especially in the area of employment. A number of the youth have been engaged in meaningful jobs and we know that this will continue for the years to come. We appreciate all that MPS has done “
To improve the operations of MPS, the fisherfolk invoked blessings on the Port operations through libation.
Economic Impact Of The Port
The vision of MPS has always been that Ghana is a cutting-edge nation and rising rapidly to become a world-class actor, a country with a brilliant potential to become a leader not only in the West Coast of Africa but worldwide.
MPS is an emerging port operator in sub-Saharan Africa. MPS has taken the port one dimension into transhipment whereby inter congenital trades are being transhipped through Tema. The infrastructure of Tema has created that platform connecting continents
In the last decade, Meridian Port Services Ltd, the container terminal operator in Ghana’s busiest port, the Tema Port has invested more than $1.2 billion in the transformation of the Port. The significant investment has been directed at creating a pivot around which economic growth is stimulated.
The impact of the Port Infrastructure as catalyst of economic development can be measured in multiple ways. A look at the direct impact of it will see the creation jobs more than 1,500 covering both direct staff and agencies within the port and linked to port operations.
The measurement of the effect of the port on the firms and organisations which are economically dependent on its main activity will include its impact on labour, services, materials, and other items purchased by firms that supply the direct activities. Firms importing raw materials and exporting finished goods, distribution centres and traders.
Away from this, the port significantly influences other sectors of the economy. It drives investments into the Port enclave as manufacturing firms look out to how to export the goods produced faster manner by being established close to the port.
MPS is very much committed to seeing through its vision to grow Tema as a hub, not only a transport facilitator, but an economic hub that attracts investment into factories which in effect impacts Ghana’s social and economic life.
In his closing remarks the Mr. Samara which the crowed a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year and expressed “on behalf of the MPS shareholders I would like to congratulate everybody for the success that has been achieved by MPS in the implementation of the Tema Port Expansion Project so far and count on everybody especially the work force to take this company one step further into the future”.
Source & photo : MPS
