GMA Concludes 2025 Four Quarter Security Audits at Tema and Takoradi Ports
The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) concluded its final quarter (Q4) security audit of the Tema Port, Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal 3, and the Takoradi Port in December 2025. Conducted under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the exercise evaluated the facilities’ readiness to mitigate risks and ensure the safety of international maritime trade.
The GMA team, led by Mustapha Adamah, Head of Maritime Security, Search and Rescue, focused on access control protocols, the functionality of security systems, and the ability to respond to emerging threats.
The ISPS Code remains the global gold standard for protecting ports and cargo from theft and terrorism.
MPS
At Meridian Port Services (MPS) Terminal Three, the Legal and Compliance Manager, Frank Ebo Brown reiterated that safety and security are at the core of the facility’s operations.
The audit highlighted a standout policy where safety is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) directly tied to the MPS CEO’s evaluation, holding leadership accountable for maintaining a zero-fatality record.
The terminal the audit also found out utilizes a Human, Engineering, and Legal (HEL) framework.
This includes extensive safety training, advanced machinery to prevent operational failures, and strict legal compliance. Notably, the audit verified rigorous protocols for “Work at Height and Suspended Loads” and the enforcement of a “Pedestrian-Free Policy” to manage the over 2,000 trucks entering the terminal daily.
Future-Proofing at Tema
The audit noted significant progress at Tema Port, where most quarter three timelines were met.
Key improvements include the clearing of overgrown vegetation, replacement of lighting systems, and the installation of “Restricted Area” signage at all substations.
In a major step forward for emergency response, quarter four saw a successful joint drill involving all three terminals at the Tema Port, marking the first time the MPS Terminal Three participated in the exercise.
The audit recognized that physical vulnerabilities identified in the previous quarter have been addressed, with port managers strengthening defenses against both local risks and international security threats.
At the Takoradi Port, the audit revealed high standards of access control, with some technical areas identified for improvement.
Specific security challenges were noted, including two alleged robbery attempts at anchorage and “imported” stowaways arriving from Apapa, Nigeria.
To address these, the GMA recommended the reinforcement of perimeter physical barriers and upgrading access control at key entry points. The audit further called for bolstering surveillance capabilities through increased staffing and the modernization of monitoring equipment to ensure comprehensive oversight.
Source : GMA
