Keta Port in Ruins, Future Uncertain as December 2024 Elections Approach

Keta Port in Ruins, Future Uncertain as December 2024 Elections Approach——-Dr. Enyonam Adzo Apetorgbor criticizes delays in the Keta Port Project, expressing frustration over unfulfilled promises and questioning the government’s commitment to regional development

Dr. Enyonam Adzo Apetorgbor, CEO of the Keta Investment Promotion Centre, has expressed deep frustration and disappointment over the persistent delays in the much-promised Keta Port Project.

She shares these frustrations with the 24HEG  sighted by 24 Hour Economy Ghana, and questioning whether this long-awaited project will finally materialize or remain another unfulfilled pledge that fades with the election season.

“For years, we’ve heard it all—the speeches, the promises, the assurances that the port is ‘visibly in progress. But for those of us in Keta, all we see is empty land and shattered hope,” she said. Her words seem to echo the sentiments of many in the Volta Region, where the dream of a functional port has become a symbol of dashed expectations and political neglect.

The Keta Port, envisioned as a transformative project to create jobs, boost trade, and bring economic opportunity to the region, has remained elusive since the declaration of the area by an Executive Instrument in 2018 as a port and the subsequent appointment of a director to oversee the processes surrounding the project.

Despite glowing mentions in parliamentary budget statements, the project appears to exist more in words than in action. “Perhaps our leaders have a vision we lack,” Dr. Apetorgbor said.

With visible frustration, she questioned the government’s sincerity, suggesting the possibility of a rushed commissioning before the elections.

“Will this legendary port also be miraculously unveiled before December 7, after the other last-minute inaugurations? Or will it remain invisible, like a mirage in the harmattan?”

For the people of Keta, the port represents more than infrastructure—it is hope. Hope for jobs, dignity, and a chance to thrive in their own region.

In recent months, delays have drawn renewed scrutiny, with repeated feasibility studies seen as stalling tactics rather than steps toward progress. Unlike other port projects in Ghana that have seen tangible milestones, the Keta one remains stagnant – raising doubts about the government’s commitment to its development.

A functional Keta Port could transform the region into a trade hub, create jobs, and boost local industries. However, each day of inaction represents a lost economic opportunity and deepens public mistrust. Critics argue the project has become a political talking point rather than a genuine developmental effort.