Omission of transport sector per the “senchi consensus”

-any lesson learnt?

“Whenever a nation (or company) has a lack of quality, legitimate and just leaders, national deterioration occur……Quality leadership is key to a prosperous and peaceful life and nation…..It is obvious that our nations are painfully in need of such leaders. God’s answer to all our social, moral and economic problems is qualified and righteous leaders.” Adei adapted from General Woodrow.
Reading from my Facebook wall, a lot of diverse reservations have been expressed by members of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Ghana (CILT) of the Ministry of Transport or government’s failure to incorporate the transportation sector in its communique in the Senchi consensus. I am, however, made to think or believe that Government intention to blatantly relegate such an all-important sector for contemplation, to the background, is a conspicuous manifestation of its lackadaisical approach towards the role Transportation coupled with the inevitable correlated infrastructure plays in the socio-economic development of the Ghanaian economy.

POSITIVE IMPACT

Incontrovertibly, it is a fact that Transport and its related infrastructure has turned many economies around placing them among highly developed polities, globally. This has materialized for the simple fact that pragmatic policies were geared towards the sector; ably superintendent by equally resourceful technocrats who were resolute to deliver on their mandate despite perceived obstacles.

Singapore could always be cited as a classic illustration. A minute Island with virtually no natural resources has achieved the status of developed country. Her success story is premised on the fact that the leaders anticipated the urgent necessity to develop her Transport sector holistically with specific focus on maritime transportation. To reiterate, Singapore has metamorphosed into a hub of global maritime activities and essentially the key distribution interface for volumes of global containerized merchandise bound for major accredited destinations across the globe. This development has invariably intensified both her GDP/GNP growth.
In contemporary times, transportation is perceived as an inevitable core component of the economy of any given sovereignty in the new millennium that seek to be part of the emerging global market the world is witnessing now. It has often been said that there’s no sovereign state under the universe that can attain progress and prosperity without appreciating the value and the positive impact of transportation. The movement of high volumes of global logistics from country of origin to a final destination point, the transportation of energy resources, the massive movement of people across the length and breadth of the globe including effective communication are eventually actualized due to the positive impact of transportation and its infrastructure. One therefore wonders how on earth the sector could escape the due attention of the government, but most specifically the Ministry of Transport of such crucial national deliberation which seek to explore and proffer solutions as well as answers bedeviling the many facets of the economy. Perhaps was it an oversight or misplaced priority? Concomitantly, Ghanaians and greater number of those of us in the industry vehemently demand answers.
OBSERVATION OF TRANSPORT MODES
Ironically, in Ghana the various conventional modes of transport with its related infrastructure are woefully not in the best state of affairs. Of course, the sector is a capital intensive one; its prioritization should be so fundamental to the government. Take a quick observation at the Aviation industry. As we speak now, there is not a single state commercial ‘parachute’ to be proud of not to talk of even a ‘Helicopter’. The Maritime industry is the worst of all. There are no remnants parading that this nation once operated fleet of Ocean going vessels that made headlines in international circles in the ‘60’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s. The defunct State Fishing Corporation as well as BSL which provided massive employment and eventually were perceived as a ‘Cash cow’ serving the interest of the masses was regrettably ‘murdered in cold blood’. The availability of colossal infrastructure that naturally bequeathed to the state was regrettably disposed of by ‘powers that be’, leaving virtually nothing for posterity to reminisce.
Conspicuously, the operationalization and its related infrastructure with regards to Rail transportation have reached its ‘dead ends’ in this country of ours. The actions and inactions of those who have had the opportunity to steer the affairs of this nation has invariably defeated the purpose for which Rail transport was provided. Basically, the virtual dysfunctional rail sub-sector has irrefutably contributed in the deterioration of the country’s road network. This is because successive governments have failed to initiate prudent strategic guidelines to resource the industry hence its total collapse. It is therefore obvious, the country’s road network is nothing to write home about looking at the rate at which globalization is spreading like wild fire in all perspectives in this 21st century. In the face of all these challenges, we continue to pride ourselves as a low-middle income country and the main gateway to West Africa. We shouldn’t look sight of the fact, by our disposition; we seem to be living in a “fool’s paradise where dumplings grow on trees, lifeless, faultless”. As a country, it’s time we do not only have to ‘think outside the box’ but rather ‘stir the box’ for optimization of outcomes.

CONCLUSION
Looking at the above enumerated scenarios, there is no doubt that a country’s economic breakthrough definitely comes on the heels of diverse provision of Transportation infrastructure. Prudent transport infrastructure is a key constituent for sustainable development. It enhances the delivery and access to strategic social services, e.g. industry, tourism, logistics, energy, ICT, etc. The Millennium Development Goals could be achievable if only transport infrastructure is given a boost because it is the key driving force behind the realization of essential amenities including public goods required by the masses.
In the light of this, it is the conviction of many Ghanaians that every effort must be made by the ‘powers that be’ to incorporate this very important sector into the main essential themes as an addendum to the final governmental decision of the Senchi communique. We believe it is not too late. Even if it is, “Better late than never”, so says the adage.

JOE EFFAH-NKYI, (MILT)
P.O BOX CE 12281
+233 244250922
E-mail: [email protected]