President John Dramani Mahama has cut the sod for a $98.41 million expansion project at the Takoradi Port to strengthen Ghana’s maritime infrastructure, increase cargo-handling capacity and support growth in the country’s trade sector.
The project, financed entirely from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) internally generated resources, involves constructing a 300-metre-long Berth 19 facility with a capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes.
The investment forms part of efforts to improve port operations and expand Ghana’s capacity to handle larger vessels and growing maritime trade.
“Armed with an axe and shovel, President Mahama storms the Takoradi Port today to cut sod for this $98.41 million, 300-meter-long, 75,000 dead-weight-tonnage capacity Berth 19 facility.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesperson and Minister fo Government Communications
Mahama Positions Port Infrastructure as Economic Growth Driver
Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, highlighted the Takoradi Port investment as an example of President Mahama’s approach to developing critical infrastructure to transform Ghana’s economic structure.
In a statement, Hon. Kwakye Ofosu argued that the President had the experience and leadership capacity to drive the proposed New Economy Programme, which is expected to feature in the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
He pointed to investments in the country’s port infrastructure as evidence of the administration’s focus on projects capable of strengthening economic activity and generating sustainable revenue.
According to him, President Mahama’s earlier decision to expand the Tema Port through the Meridian Port Services (MPS) arrangement demonstrates how strategic infrastructure investments can improve operational efficiency and create additional revenue streams for the GPHA.
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that since the commencement of operations at the expanded MPS Terminal, the GPHA had generated $421 million, equivalent to approximately GH¢5 billion.
The revenue, he explained, had enabled the authority to finance major investments in its operations using internally generated funds. The Takoradi Port expansion follows a similar infrastructure-driven approach, with the GPHA financing the Berth 19 project directly from its own resources rather than relying on external funding.
Berth 19 Project to Expand Takoradi Port Capacity
The new Berth 19 facility will extend the operational capacity of the Takoradi Port through the construction of a 300-metre-long berth designed to accommodate vessels with a capacity of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes.
The $98.41 million investment is expected to improve the port’s ability to receive larger vessels, strengthen cargo-handling operations and support increased commercial activity. Its financing structure also reflects the GPHA’s capacity to reinvest revenue generated from its operations into infrastructure development.
Hon. Kwakye Ofosu maintained that the project would enhance the operational performance of the Takoradi Port, increase revenue generation and contribute to the expansion of Ghana’s trade sector.
The investment comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen its position as a maritime and logistics hub within the West African subregion, with efficient port infrastructure remaining essential to international commerce.
Mahama Highlights Improvements in Takoradi Port Dredging
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, President Mahama highlighted improvements in the Takoradi Port’s infrastructure, particularly the dredging works undertaken to allow larger vessels to access the facility.
“A lot of work has gone on in Takoradi, including the dredging of the port to receive bigger vessels than it used to have before. I think it was eight metres or something”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President contrasted the earlier depth with the current dredging levels, which he indicated ranged between 13 and 16 metres across the relevant port areas. He emphasised the significance of the improvements, particularly the ability to accommodate some of the largest vessels operating in international shipping.
“Today we’re talking about 16 metres. Wow, that can accommodate the largest ship in the world at 16 metres,” President Mahama disclosed. He added that the improvements had positioned Takoradi to handle larger vessels, describing the port’s development as significant progress.
Tema Port Expansion Also Features in Maritime Development Plans
Beyond Takoradi, President Mahama outlined additional plans to expand capacity at the Tema Port through further investments in the existing MPS facility and the old port.
He disclosed that the government was working towards an agreement on MPS BEV 5, which would increase the capacity of the MPS Terminal while also improving operations at the Tema old port.
“Some dredging has taken place already, and it has been dredged down to 14 metres. And so that allows bigger ships to come into Tema. And so that is a good thing,” he stated. These developments form part of broader efforts to improve Ghana’s port infrastructure and strengthen its ability to compete in international maritime trade.
The Takoradi Port’s $98.41 million Berth 19 project therefore represents another major investment in the country’s maritime infrastructure, with the GPHA expected to leverage its operational revenue to support further improvements.
Through investments in Takoradi and Tema, the government is seeking to expand port capacity, attract increased maritime activity and strengthen the infrastructure supporting Ghana’s trade and wider economic transformation.
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