Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has dismissed reports alleging that hundreds of excavators were secretly cleared from the Tema Port at midnight, describing them as misleading. He explained that the machines had not been released to their owners but were relocated under security supervision to military bases such as Michelle Camp, Burma Camp, Teshie Camp, and the 48 Engineers Regiment as part of a transparent and publicly announced evacuation exercise.
Mr. Nikpe said the operation was necessary to decongest the port, where the pile-up of excavators imported despite a government ban was creating serious challenges for trade and logistics. He emphasized that the Ports Authority had issued a public notice before the exercise began and that the entire process was being conducted openly, not in secrecy.
The Minister assured the public that there was no hidden agenda behind the relocation, stressing that the move was aimed at ensuring safety, accountability, and efficiency at the port. He urged Ghanaians to disregard the “midnight clearance” reports and reaffirmed government’s commitment to keeping Tema Port decongested as a vital hub for West Africa’s maritime trade.
