Asantehene’s Proposed Funding Solution for Boankra Inland Port Project
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has outlined a pragmatic funding strategy for the stalled Boankra Integrated Logistics Terminal (BILT), proposing an equity-for-investment arrangement between key state transport agencies to overcome persistent financial bottlenecks.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the Board of Governors and Management of the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) at the Manhyia Palace on August 14, 2026, the Asantehene asserted that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) holds the balance-sheet capacity to finance the critical inland port.
To unlock funding without placing further strain on the public purse, Otumfuo directed the GSA leadership to engage the GPHA on a joint-venture financing framework, where GPHA’s capital injection would be converted directly into commercial equity in the terminal upon completion.
“No matter what, we will get the money from the GPHA,” Otumfuo declared, tracing the inception of the Boankra project back to the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and detailing the execution hurdles encountered across successive governments.
Emphasising the need for immediate, decisive action over prolonged administrative deliberations, the Asantehene stressed, “Engage the GPHA on the funding and, in return, give them shares in the port once completed. We have to stop the English-speaking and confront the issues on the ground. We need practical solutions to this. Let GPHA’s investment be converted into equity.”
His Majesty also advocated for a long-term loan facility jointly secured by the GSA and GPHA to construct the connecting railway line.
Otumfuo noted that a long-term debt structure—spread across about two decades—would be easily serviced by the steady revenue streams generated once the terminal becomes operational and handles freight traffic.
With this proposed funding model, the Asantehene expressed optimism about soon commissioning Phase One of the facility, which covers primary storage yards, customs security zones, internal road networks, and core administrative and terminal operational blocks.
The Asantehene’s intervention follows notices from GSA leadership regarding severe funding constraints on site.
The Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, informed the King that the contractor had threatened to demobilise from the project site due to payment delays.
“Your Majesty, if the contractor leaves the site, it will cost the nation significantly more to bring them back,” Prof. Gyampo warned, appealing for royal intervention to align key sector stakeholders behind a sustainable funding model.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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