Controversies welcomed the appointment of Dr Alexander Yaw Adusei, Jr, but the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has said it was in order.
According to the Authority, a national strategic project of that magnitude required preliminary activities before physical construction, which includes conceptualisation, need and viability assessment.
The Authority further argued that the experience of Dr Yaw Adusei attracts such a role as it required an astute professional with the requisite legal skills and knowledge in contract negotiation, international law and project management to lead.
A statement signed by Mrs Esther Gyebi-Donkor, General Manager, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, said the immeasurable need for effective negotiations when it comes to port infrastructure development and concessions, required experienced negotiators with a solid legal background. The release explained that would ensure value for money at all stages of the developmental process.
“…And such expertise could not fall under any less capacity below the level of Directorship within the Port Authority. As such, the Director of Port of Keta, Dr Alexander Yaw Adusei Jr., was appointed as the project lead to liaise with the requisite teams to facilitate the background activities toward implementation of Keta project. Such categories of personnel are placed at the Directorship categories of GPHA’s personnel grading systems, to give parties the assurances to authority to engage appropriately,” the statement noted.
Issued yesterday, the release further observed that after his appointment by President Akufo-Addo in March 2019, Dr Adusei commenced his duties a month after to coordinate and to oversee all activities leading to construction among others.
Giving further insight, the statement said that since he was appointed, Dr Adusei has successfully led the GPHA team to negotiate and select a consultant to commence the feasibility study of the Keta Port, which was signed on June 15, 2020.
It said upon being introduced to the chiefs and people of Keta, he has constantly engaged the community as an official liaison between GPHA and the Keta people in ensuring effective community involvement and acceptance of the impending port project.
Dr Adusei is a member of the Board of Directors of the GPHA. He is also a member of the Board of Human Resource Committee, Board Technical/Financial and Legal Committee and Risk Committee of the GPHA.
In addition, Dr Adusei chairs GPHA’s IT Steering Committee and is a co-Chair with the Director of Port of Takoradi at the GPHA’s standing joint meetings with labour.
“Additionally, Dr Adusei is a member of GPHA’s negotiating contingent, which is currently handling significant concessions, including the Ibstek Concession, Tema Dry Dock Concession, RSGT Concession, 20% MPS Terminal 3, and the hand back of Terminal 2 to GPHA. He also avails himself for other assignments given to him by the Director General as appropriate.
“It should be noted that the appointment of a Coordinating Director is an acceptable practice in both the public and civil services, hence, one does not necessarily have to be appointed into an existing directorship position, especially when justifications have been made, requiring a person of senior managerial status with unique expertise to coordinate activities on behalf of an institution,” the statement remarked.
The post GPHA justifies appointment of Director of Keta Port appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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