The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, has declared that the establishment of a new port on the Volta Lake will significantly boost cargo movement, positioning inland water transport as a critical network to decongest the Tema Port and facilitate trade with landlocked neighbours.
The Minister made this statement during a working visit to the Volta Lake Transport Limited (VLTL) on Monday, September 7, 2026, where he inspected ongoing works towards establishing the new facility . The proposed port forms part of the government’s ambitious strategy to develop an integrated multimodal transport system that will reduce pressure on the country’s road infrastructure .
A Strategic National Asset
Addressing management and staff after the inspection, Mr Nikpe described Volta Lake as one of Ghana’s greatest but underutilised national assets, stressing that the government is determined to maximise its economic potential through strategic investment in ports, barges and cargo-handling infrastructure .
“Our thinking is to decongest the Port of Tema by creating a multimodal transport system. Goods will move by rail from Tema to Mpakadan, continue by lake transport to Buipe, and then be transported by road to other parts of northern Ghana and the landlocked neighbours,” the Minister explained .
He explained that the Ministry’s objective is to create a seamless transport chain linking rail, inland water and road transport into one efficient logistics system .
The Tema–Mpakadan–Buipe Corridor
The proposed arrangement would see containers arriving at the Tema Port transported by rail to Mpakadan, where they would be transferred onto barges for onward movement along the Volta Lake to Buipe in the Savannah Region . This would effectively connect Ghana’s seaport, railway and inland waterway systems into a single freight corridor serving the northern parts of the country .
The system is expected to significantly reduce congestion on major highways, prolong the lifespan of newly constructed roads, and improve the efficiency of Ghana’s freight transport sector .
The Round Port at Mpakadan
As part of the broader logistics strategy, the Minister announced the government’s intention to construct a round port at Mpakadan to facilitate the loading of containers and other cargo onto barges operating on the Volta Lake .
He explained that the facility would serve as a vital interchange between rail and inland water transport, enabling containers arriving from Tema to be transferred efficiently onto lake vessels destined for Buipe and beyond .
A Historic Visit
The staff of Volta Lake Transport Limited expressed profound appreciation to the Minister for his visit, describing it as historic . According to the workers, Nikpe is the first Minister of Transport to visit the facility in the past ten years, a gesture they said had significantly boosted morale and renewed confidence in the future of the company .
They assured the Minister of their unwavering commitment to supporting the government’s vision of revitalising inland water transport and requested him to convey their dedication and achievements to President John Dramani Mahama .
Aligning with the Volta Economic Corridor
The new port project forms a central component of Ghana’s intermodal transport agenda, which seeks to integrate the country’s maritime, railway, inland water and road transport systems into a unified logistics framework . This vision aligns with the broader Volta Economic Corridor initiative, which aims to transform the Volta River system into a hub for transportation, agriculture, fisheries, industry and trade .
The project also aligns with the government’s broader objective of enhancing regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by strengthening transport links between Ghana and neighbouring economies .
Projected Economic Impact
The system is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve turnaround time for cargo and minimise the heavy concentration of freight vehicles on Ghana’s highways . The project is also expected to stimulate economic growth along the Volta Lake by creating new opportunities in trade, agriculture, tourism, warehousing and transport services .
Communities situated along the lake are expected to benefit from improved connectivity, while businesses will gain access to safer and more efficient alternatives for transporting bulk cargo and passengers .
Minister’s Optimism for the Future
Nikpe expressed optimism that the ongoing transformation of the VLTL would become a model for public sector excellence . He urged management and staff to work together in rebuilding the institution, saying he was confident that within the next two years the company would become one of the country’s most viable transport agencies.
“We are blessed with this resource, and the best thing is to utilise it. I believe that two years from now, we will all be proud that we are building the Ghana we want together,” he said .
The Minister’s visit underscores the government’s renewed commitment to unlocking the enormous potential of inland water transport and transforming Volta Lake into a vital artery for national and regional trade .
