The Deputy Minister for Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, has officially launched the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, describing it as a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s transport and logistics sector through research, innovation and professional capacity development.
The Centre has been established to promote professional education, research, innovation and strategic partnerships while fostering stronger collaboration between academia, industry and government to support a safe, efficient, integrated and sustainable transport system.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Madam Affo-Toffey said the establishment of the Centre demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a modern, innovative and globally competitive transport and logistics industry driven by knowledge-based solutions.
She noted that Ghana’s transport sector is undergoing significant transformation and requires skilled professionals, innovative ideas and evidence-based policies to meet growing national and international demands.
“The launch of the J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre is timely and strategic. It provides a platform for developing the human capital and research capacity needed to support a transport system that is safe, efficient, integrated and sustainable,” she said.
The Deputy Minister said the Centre would serve as a hub for professional training, cutting-edge research, innovation and policy dialogue while strengthening collaboration among universities, industry players and government institutions.
She stressed that transport remains central to Ghana’s economic growth, describing logistics as “the invisible engine of trade, job creation and food security.”
However, she identified persistent challenges confronting the sector, including skills, data and coordination gaps.
“There are few Ghanaians trained in modern transport planning, fleet management and supply chain analytics who drive transport policies and their implementation,” Madam Affo-Toffey said.
She further observed that policy decisions are often made without sufficient field evidence and called for stronger coordination between academia, government and industry to address emerging challenges in transportation, logistics and supply chain management, particularly amid rapid technological advancements and regional trade integration.
The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that the Centre would produce highly skilled professionals equipped with practical knowledge and innovative solutions capable of driving Ghana’s economic development.
She also commended UPSA for its commitment to academic excellence and for taking the initiative to establish a dedicated centre for transport and logistics education and research.
Madam Affo-Toffey urged transport industry stakeholders to take advantage of the Centre’s training programmes, research opportunities and collaborative initiatives to improve service delivery, operational efficiency and policy development across the sector.
The J.K. Horgle Transport and Logistics Centre is expected to develop industry-focused solutions, influence transport policy formulation and prepare professionals to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global transport environment.
The launch attracted government officials, academics, transport and logistics professionals, industry stakeholders and students, who described the Centre as a significant investment in the future of Ghana’s transport sector.
Participants expressed optimism that the Centre would play a leading role in advancing research, promoting innovation, shaping transport policy and producing the skilled workforce needed to support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development while positioning the country as a regional hub for transport and logistics excellence.
