Duffour calls for integration of transportation systems in West Africa

Accra (Greater Accra) 18 Oct. '99

Dr Kwabena Duffour, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, on Monday urged ECOWAS countries to combine their resources and improve the transportation network in the sub-region for increased trade and collaboration.

"An examination of the transport sector suggest that opportunities exist for co-operation and integration by ECOWAS countries to reap maximum benefits.

"For instance it is common knowledge that air travel is undertaken with great difficulties and uncertainty owing largely to inadequate operation aircraft and poor management".

Dr Duffour whose speech was read for him at the opening of an 11-day course on "Infrastructure Development and Privatisation," noted that similar opportunities exist in the maritime and railway sectors.

"It is regrettable that well over two decades of integration efforts have not yielded a scheduled maritime transportation service on the West Coast to ease cargo movement among the countries".

He said the integration of railway systems would provide haulage capacity of goods and cheaper and more adequate means of travel within the sub-region.

The Governor noted that most of the challenges facing countries embarking on privatisation programmes would be solved through the development of cross-border regional projects which would open up large markets and reduce some non-commercial risks through relevant treaties.

The course, organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, is being attended by 26 bankers and officials of financial institutions from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Gambia.

It was established by the Central Banks of the member countries in 1996 to strengthen capacity for macro-economic management through periodic training of staff.

GRi../