Tema: President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, November 13, commissioned Phases One and Two of the Tema Port Expansion Project. The new container terminal connects Ghana to global shipping routes and supports the country's economic development by improving trade flows and creating jobs. The facility is a modern, state-of-the-art container terminal, built by Meridian Port Services (MPS) to serve as a major hub for West and Central Africa.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama, during his previous term, broke grounds for the construction works to begin on the facility on 16th November 2016, a joint venture between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and MPS and its partners, Bollor© Transport and Logistics and APM Terminals. In his address during the commissioning, the President said the expansion of the Tema Port would strengthen Ghana's reputation as a reliable and efficient hub for international trade and investments. He noted that with improved logistics capacity, shorter turnaround times, and increased efficiency, the Tema Port enhances Ghana's ability to compete globally.
The President declared that the Tema Port Expansion was one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Africa's maritime sector, marking a significant milestone in Ghana's path towards industrialization, competitiveness, and global trade leadership. 'This project is the realization of a dream we have nurtured for years to establish Ghana as a gateway to West Africa. Today that dream becomes a tangible reality, symbolizing a national aspiration and international confidence,' he said. He added that it also ensures that the nation's exports reach markets more quickly and that imports become more affordable for businesses and consumers alike.
Further emphasizing the role of the port in the modern economy, President Mahama stated that in a world driven by speed, technology, and efficiency, Tema Port's modernization gives Ghana a competitive advantage. 'It is a strategic asset in attracting investments, creating jobs, and facilitating trade across various sectors. Beyond the impressive structures we see today, this project has focused on people, on work, on dignity and opportunity,' he stated. 'Thousands of Ghanaians have gained employment during the period of its construction and also during its current operation, from engineers and technicians to logistics professionals, artisans and service providers and suppliers.'
The President reiterated that the Port had also become a catalyst for supporting industries, including the transport industry, warehousing, hospitality, and maintenance, fostering a ripple effect of enterprise and innovation in Ghana's economic ecosystem. He said as the Port continues to expand, it would remain a source of skills development and industrial opportunity for generations to come, supporting their broader national vision of inclusive growth, value addition, and economic diversification.
'This project is more than just a Ghanaian achievement. It is an African statement. With the African continental free trade area based here in Accra, Tema Port is strategically positioned as one of the key arteries of intra-African commerce,' the President said. He noted that from Tema, goods could move seamlessly across borders, connecting producers, traders, and consumers throughout the continent. The port thus cements Ghana's role as a central player in Africa's trade transformation, a vital hub driving integration, innovation, and shared prosperity across the region.
Paying tribute to the late Alhaji Asumah Banda, former Board Chairman for MPS, and the late Madam Dzifa Ativor, a former Transport Minister, for their instrumental roles in the execution of the project, the President also lauded Mrs Joyce Bawa Mogtari, a former Deputy Transport Minister and now a Presidential Advisor, for her key role in the project's implementation. Mr. Mohamed Samara, the Chief Executive Officer of MPS Tema Port, hailed the project as one of Ghana's biggest and most successful public-private partnerships, representing a wonderful synergy between private and public services. Transport Minister Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe commended all distinguished partners for their dedication in delivering a world-class facility that will serve Ghana and the sub-region for decades.