Ghana: Mahama Breaks Ground for $137m ship repair facility and $98m berth project at Takoradi Port

President John Dramani Mahama officially cut the sod on Tuesday for two major expansion projects at the Takoradi Port, totalling over $235 million.

The developments include ‘Project Shiprite’, a $137 million integrated ship repair and maintenance facility and ‘Berth 19’, a $98.41 million, 300-metre-long facility with a 75,000 deadweight-tonnage capacity.

Project Shiprite is being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD). Designed to serve cargo and offshore vessels, it aims to strengthen regional repair capacity and position Ghana as a leading maritime service hub in the subregion.

The Berth 19 project, funded by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) from its own resources, is expected to enhance operations, increase revenue, and facilitate further port expansion.

In his remarks, President Mahama said that, to complement these new facilities, the government has secured funding for the Western railway line and selected major highways under the “Big Push” project. This infrastructure will facilitate the transport of goods to the hinterland and Sahelian countries.

The ship maintenance facility, scheduled for completion in a record 18 months, operates under a 25-year concession.

President Mahama said the immediate economic benefits, noting, “What pleases me the most is that it will create 430 jobs for our young people. This is all part of the big push and the reset agenda to create jobs.”

He noted the strategic nature of the project, stating that it “fills a very good vacuum.” He explained that currently, many vessels, including oil rigs working along the Gulf Coast and ships from Nigeria, have no local options for maintenance. They are forced to travel to faraway Europe or Durban, South Africa, for repairs.

Touching upon previous state efforts, Mahama added, “We had our challenges with Tema Dry Dock Shipyard built by Ghana’s first President Kwame Nkrumah. I know that the private sector is better able to manage things like this, and I have faith in this project.”

He urged stakeholders to prioritise local content through technology transfer to ensure sustainable benefits.

“I believe if they gain the technology transfer, it will even make them internationally marketable,” he said.

President Mahama expressed his gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom and all other partners supporting the realisation of these projects.

Source : The Presidency, Republic of Ghana