EPA holds public hearing on Port of Keta project

By Evelyn ARTHUR

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has held a public hearing in Keta to engage stakeholders on the proposed Port of Keta Development Project — a major infrastructure initiative spearheaded by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The hearing, held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, brought together key stakeholders – including traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, officials from the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, representatives of state institutions, civil society groups and residents of Keta and adjoining districts.

The engagement formed part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, in line with the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).

Opening the session, the Chief Executive of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne-Klutse, explained that the public hearing was necessitated by the project’s potential environmental and socio-economic implications, including possible resettlements and broad public interest.

She noted that the EPA remained committed to balancing environmental protection with sustainable national development, stressing that the hearing aimed to ensure affected communities and stakeholders were adequately informed and given the opportunity to express their concerns.

“Our key objective is to provide an open platform for you to share your views and for the proponent to address them. The feedback and insights gathered here will guide the decision-making process on the proposed Keta Port Development Project,” she stated.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of GPHA, Brigadier-General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, the Director of the Port of Tema, Tebon Zumah, outlined the strategic vision behind the project, describing the Port of Keta as the country’s third maritime gateway designed to complement the existing ports of Tema and Takoradi.

He said the proposed port was envisioned as a major logistics and industrial hub that would promote trade with Ghana’s eastern corridor neighbours, boost regional integration and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

“The success of this port depends not only on its physical construction but on the participation and cooperation of the communities it is meant to serve,” he said. “This is your project as much as it is ours, and your voices matter in shaping its future.”

Mr. Zumah further emphasised GPHA’s commitment to working closely with traditional authorities, local government and civil society to ensure that the benefits of the port are equitably shared while adhering strictly to environmental and social safeguards.

The Board Chairman of GPHA, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, described the proposed Port of Keta as a “transformational project” aligned with government’s vision of building a resilient transport and logistics sector.

He noted that the facility, when completed, would open new trade corridors linking Ghana with Togo, Benin and Nigeria; stimulate industrial activity in the Volta Region and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness as a maritime gateway in West Africa.

Mr. Asiedu Nketiah reaffirmed the GPHA Board’s commitment to ensuring that the rights and livelihoods of affected persons are protected, and that the project proceeds in an environmentally responsible and socially inclusive manner.

“The Keta Port is not just about ships and cargo; it is about people — the people of Keta, the Volta Region and Ghana as a whole. It is about sustainable transformation, rooted in equity and shared prosperity,” he said.

The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the construction of the Keta Port as part of broader efforts to accelerate development in the Volta Region.

He assured residents that all concerns raised during the consultative process would be duly considered and addressed to ensure the project benefits the people and protects their livelihoods.

Mr. Gunu further appealed to the people of Keta and surrounding communities to offer their full cooperation and support to the government and GPHA for the successful commencement and execution of the project.

The public hearing provided an interactive platform for participants to seek clarifications, raise environmental and social concerns and make recommendations to guide the final ESIA report.

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