The PEPP field trip in Ghana continues as the team conducts research in and around Tema and Accra. Over the past few days, the PEPP project has continued our intensive interview process, gathering data from key stakeholders relevant to the port of Tema. Recently, PEPP has visited Maersk and MPS among others, investigating their part in the workings of the port operations and management. PEPP continues to attend the berthing meetings, talking to participants whenever possible.

A major development in the project research has been the visit to Ghana’s national archives in Accra (PRAAD), where the team, over the span of several days, has been searching for references to the history of Tema port and shipping in Ghana. Specifically, PEPP has done archival research on Black Star Shipping line for an upcoming article. We are deeply grateful for the assistance by the staff at PRAAD, helping us locate the relevant materials.

Finally, PEPP has had a debriefing at the Danish embassy in Accra, updating them on our progress this past year and sharing some of our tentative findings with the Danish ambassador that can benefit the continued good cooperation between Ghana and Denmark. One of the major objectives of PEPP is to enhance communication at the port by sharing new understandings of different stakeholder positions with all involved. This is ongoing as we meet with key actors throughout the port environment and share the insights from stakeholders we have, previously, met.

After March 1, PEPP will leave their base at Tema to head out to Akosombo for a writing retreat, where we will devote much needed time to organize our findings, clean up data, and write up articles to conclude an exceptionally successful field trip.