Kedzi-Keta (Volta Region) June, 2026
Mr. Francis Senanu Dekutsey, The President of the Kedzi Youth Association, has called on the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to invest in critical educational and healthcare infrastructure within the Keta Municipality to ensure that local communities derive direct and lasting benefits from the proposed Keta Port Project.
Speaking during a stakeholder sensitisation forum organised by the GPHA following the attainment of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate for the proposed port, Mr. Dekutsey appealed for the transformation of the Kedzi Technical Institute into a modern Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre and the upgrading of the Kedzi Clinic into a fully equipped health facility capable of serving both future port workers and residents of the area.
The forum formed part of ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts by the GPHA to brief affected communities and key stakeholders on the progress of the project and its expected socio-economic impact on the Keta Municipality and the wider Volta Region.
Addressing participants, Mr. Dekutsey who is also the Executive Director of Volta Corridor Investment Centre ( VCIC), noted that while the proposed Keta Port is expected to create significant employment and economic opportunities, deliberate measures must be taken to equip local youth with the skills required to compete for the jobs that will emerge from the project.
According to him, the GPHA should adopt the Kedzi Technical Institute (the only technical and vocational training institution in the Keta Municipality) and upgrade it into a state-of-the-art skills development centre dedicated to training young people for careers in the maritime, logistics, construction, and transport sectors.
He proposed the introduction of specialised programmes in forklift operation, heavy-duty machine operation, equipment maintenance, welding and fabrication, electrical engineering, logistics management, cargo handling, and other technical disciplines relevant to port operations.
“The Keta Port Project presents a unique opportunity for our youth, but opportunities alone are not enough. We must equip our young people with the technical and vocational skills required to take up the jobs that will be created. Upgrading the Kedzi Technical Institute into a modern TVET centre will ensure that the local workforce is adequately prepared to contribute meaningfully to the success of the port project,” Mr. Dekutsey stated.
He further questioned whether the GPHA had plans to provide the institution with modern infrastructure, training equipment, workshops, and industry partnerships that would enable it to produce a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of a modern port.
Mr. Dekutsey argued that investing in local skills development would not only reduce unemployment among young people but also ensure that a significant proportion of the jobs generated by the port remain within the municipality.
In a related appeal, he called on the GPHA to adopt and upgrade the Kedzi Clinic into a modern healthcare facility that can meet the anticipated increase in healthcare needs resulting from the establishment and operation of the port.
He proposed that the facility be expanded and transformed into a fully functional “Keta Port Clinic,” equipped with modern medical equipment, improved infrastructure, adequate accommodation for health professionals, and the necessary healthcare personnel to provide quality healthcare services to both port workers and surrounding communities.
“A project of this magnitude will inevitably increase pressure on existing healthcare facilities. Strengthening and expanding the Kedzi Clinic into a modern health centre will not only improve healthcare delivery for residents but will also provide essential medical support for port workers and create additional employment opportunities for healthcare professionals and the youth,” he added.
Speaking to the Veritas News after the event, Mr. Dekutsey stressed that strategic investments in education and healthcare would help ensure that host communities become active beneficiaries rather than passive observers of the development associated with the Keta Port Project.
He noted that beyond the economic gains expected from the project, sustainable community development requires parallel investments in human capital and social infrastructure to improve living standards and create long-term opportunities for residents.
The appeals come at a time when anticipation continues to grow over the proposed Keta Port Project, which is expected to transform the economic landscape of the Volta Region by boosting trade, creating employment, improving transportation networks, and attracting local and international investment.
Meanwhile, the GPHA, led by its Director-General, Major General Paul Seidu Tanye-Kulono, officially presented the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate for the proposed Keta Port Project to key stakeholders during the forum where he indicated that about forty-two (42) companies have shown interest in investing into the project.
The presentation was initially done to the Awoamefia of Anlo, Togbi Sri III, the Volta Regional Minister, Members of Parliament, municipal and district chief executives, traditional authorities earlier on Thursday 18th June before the forum later in the day opinion leaders, and representatives of various stakeholder groups.
The attainment and presentation of the EIA Certificate marks a significant milestone in the development of the proposed Keta Port Project and reinforces efforts towards the eventual commencement of one of the most anticipated infrastructure projects in the Volta Region.
Mr. Senanu Francis Dekutsey is a Kedzi-based Ghanaian development advocate and politician in the Keta Municipality. He is the Executive Director of the Volta Corridor Investment Centre (VCIC), Managing Director of Senelo Ventures, and President of the Kedzi Youth Association.
He focuses on youth empowerment, education, healthcare, and local development, particularly in relation to the proposed Keta Port project. He also serves within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the regional and constituency levels and initiated the Volta Economic Forum to promote investment and regional growth.
