The Impact Of Inland Container Depot Operations On The Ghanaian Economy

Abstract

The study focused on the impact of Inland Container Depot Operations on the Ghanaian Economy in relation to the kind of employment created by the ICD’s, the method and Mechanism adopted in the operations of the ICDs and the type of cargo transferred to the ICDs. The Port play very vital role in the economic development of every country and for that matter most countries spend millions of dollars investing in infrastructure and superstructures of their Ports to facilitate trade. The operations of Inland Container Depots have received significant attention over the past three decades as it promises to ease congestion at the Port because of its significant role it plays as an off-dock terminal. The main objective of the study was to assess the role ICD’s play in the economy of Ghana. A total of hundred respondents were taken from a population of seven hundred and nine from various ICD’s and stakeholders in the Tema Port. A combination of stratified and random sampling technique was employed. Structured questions were administered and response rate was 97%. Responses from respondents were coded into Statistical Package for the Social Science and analysed with tables, charts and graphs. General findings revealed a significant contribution of ICD’s in the area of employment of semi-skilled labour, trade facilitation and injection of efficiency into the clearance process in the Port leading to significant reduction in dwell time of cargo and congestion in the Port. It was recommended that the Port should expand it wings to encourage more investment into ICD’s since it promises to create employment and boost economic growth through trade facilitation.