By Laudia Sawer
Tema, July 20, GNA – The Ghana Dock Labour Company (GDLC) has trained 97 staff members on mobile crane operations to equip them with the necessary skills to ensure efficiency at the ports.
The Ghana Dock Labour Company is a casual labour organization that manages dock workers in the Tema and Takoradi ports.
The 97 staff members, comprising 86 males and 11 females, were taken through a two-week intensive that provided them with certification as professional crane operators.
Mr Elisha Debrah Odoom, the Managing Director of GDLC, said apart from ensuring efficient operations at the ports, the training would also help reduce accidents at the ports.
Mr Odoom said the larger goal was to make sure that every worker with the company was certified in their area of operation, adding that the toll drivers and unloading and offloading dockers would receive ISO certification to work in the maritime industry.
Mr Edward Heyman, the Fire and Safety Manager at the Port of Tema, advised the trainees to take safety measures at the port seriously, indicating that such measures would lead to an increase in the turnover rate at the ports.
He urged them to follow the procedures strictly to ensure an accident-free working environment at the ports.
Mr George Koney, the Stevedore Manager at the Tema Port, advised them to build their confidence, as that was an important skill crane drivers needed to excel in the field.
He urged them to continue learning to fit into the system, as according to him, the role of crane operators was evolving as there were new dynamics in operating the machines.
The Terminal 1 Manager, Gifty Jordan, entreated the trainees to exhibit professionalism and put what they have learned to good use.
Some of the staff commended the management of GDLC for the training opportunity and urged other port workers to take advantage of such opportunities.
