Prez Akufo-Addo, (in smock), lays block to signify the commencement of the second phase of Tema Port Expansion works.
Ghanaian President Anana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo cut sod here on Wednesday for further expansion of the Tema Sea Port.
The expansion project under phase two of the Tema Port Expansion Project, operated by Meridian Port Services (MPS) Ltd, will add 270,000 square metres to the existing one million square metres and boost Ghana’s standing in the maritime industry in West Africa.
Akufo-Addo said the collaboration with international partners has aided Ghana to establish a world-class trade infrastructure that meet global standards and signal to investors, both local and international, that Ghana is open for business.
“The substantial investments made in this vast land space and the state-of-the-art equipment we see today have tripled the port’s capacity and indicates that Ghana is poised for unprecedented trade growth,” said the president.
He added, “Our strategic location, situated at the crossroads of the world, gives us a distinct advantage, offering a welcoming gateway for trade in our region and beyond.”
The president said the port also positioned Ghana to be a major trading port under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Akufo-Addo said the emergence of the AfCFTA, whose secretariat is hosted by Ghana, represented an opportunity for Africa to strengthen immeasurably intra-African trade as a powerful avenue to develop the continent’s vast economic potential.
He also inaugurated a fleet of 15 new gantry cranes installed by MPS. These new cranes are equipped with twin-lift spreaders capable of handling loads of up to 65 tons.
Although Ghana had the potential to become the world’s leading exporter of agricultural produce due to abundant resources, favourable weather conditions, ample water, and fertile land, Akufo-Addo pointed out that what the nation lacked over the years was a modern and the robust logistics chain required to realise that potential.
He said the MPS Terminal 3 infrastructure has provided part of that logistics platform that would drive that vision to reality.
Mohamed Samara, Chief Executive Officer of MPS, said the gantry cranes represented an additional investment of over 50 million U.S. dollars in Ghana’s maritime sector, a testament to the commitment of MPS to foster economic growth.
Side view of the new gantry cranes commissioned by MPS for the Tema Port
Samara added that the high-tech ship-to-shore cranes, classified as Super-Post Panamax, have capability to service the world’s largest vessels, featuring an impressive outreach of 66 metres and the ability to handle containers up to the 23rd row of vessels.
“These cranes also offer the unique ability to stack containers over 10 units high on deck, equipped with twin-lift spreaders capable of handling loads of up to 65 tons,” he stated.
The first phase of the Tema Port expansion commenced in 2016 at the cost of 1.5 billion dollars.