Technology And Its Impact On Port Operations In The Port Of Tema, With Respect To Safety Of Cargo And Ship

Abstract

Safety is paramount in all human activities, in this regards the government of Ghana came out with strategic port development policy to transform the ports of Ghana from service ports to landlord ports. This strategy allowed the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to adopt a port reform programme to increase the participation of the private sector in the provision of services and facilities to ships and cargo. Over the period of about ten years (2003 -2013), the port of Tema has employed modern technology and innovation to improve performance and contribute towards a clean and healthy environment. This study therefore, assesses the impact of technology on port operation in the port of Tema. The study employed both the qualitative and quantitative method of study. With both methods, data was gathered from 65 respondents with the use of questionnaire and interview guide. Empirical evidence points out that since the transformation of the port to a landlord port, there has being the installation of modern technological equipment. A further finding was that the modern equipment has increased efficiency and effectiveness of work performance and this has further improved the services provided by the port. It has also increased the safety of cargos as movement of goods are monitored from the vessel till the final destination with modern equipment such as the CCTV camera. Based on the outcome of the study, it is recommended that there should be a renovation of the roads within the ports to promote easy and smooth movement of machines during work. As it was revealed that pot holes within the ports slows down work.