Port assessments in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
Thanks to the relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions, WeCAPS continued its port assessments, respecting local health policies in the process. The WeCAPS team continues to carry out the series of port assessments which commenced in September, visiting Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana between January and March 2021.
Following a preliminary assessment in October, the WeCAPS team visited San Pedro and Abidjan ports in January. The port of Abidjan emergency plan drafting process was launched in early July, overseen by a local short-term expert recruited by WeCAPS. The final plan was expected to be delivered by early December, but has been delayed because of the presidential election (now expected early May 2021). Despite this delay, the WeCAPS team handed over a seres of analysis and recommendations, among which the plan of the project to deliver PAA along with a series of capacity building activities on crisis management, safety and security.
Between 28 February and 6 March, the WeCAPS team visited the ports of Tema and Takoradi, Ghana. During these visits, the team met with the Ghana National Fire Service, seizing the opportunity to present WeCAPS and discuss the possible actions of the human resources and operation departments of the ports in support of the Service.
Appointment of a new governance expert The WeCAPS team has a new governance expert: Frank Bracquez has over 30 years of management, business and consulting experience in ports, terminals, shipping and supply chain. He has worked with leading industrial, engineering and service companies handling complex departments and projects, mainly in the maritime industry, ports, oil and gas storage and supply chain. After his career as a master mariner, he also used his onshore expertise to lead, organize and manage several greenfield port projects as well as new construction and expansion projects.