President John Dramani Mahama has launched two major infrastructure projects at the Takoradi Port, including a US$137 million floating dry dock facility and a US$98 million expansion of Berth 19, as Ghana steps up efforts to become a leading maritime and logistics hub in West Africa.
The investments are expected to expand the port’s capacity, attract vessels operating across the Gulf of Guinea and reduce the need for ships and offshore oil and gas installations to travel to Europe or South Africa for specialised repairs.
The floating dry dock project, being implemented under a 25-year concession arrangement, is expected to be completed within 18 months and create approximately 430 jobs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Takoradi, President Mahama said the facility would address a major gap in the sub-region’s maritime industry by providing ship repair and maintenance services closer to vessels operating along the West African coast.
He recalled that Ghana had previously sent some of its ageing naval vessels to the Netherlands for servicing, highlighting the need to develop local capacity to handle such specialised operations.
The facility is expected to serve ships from Ghana and neighbouring countries, including Nigeria, as well as offshore oil rigs operating in the Gulf of Guinea.
President Mahama said 30 per cent of the jobs created by the project would be reserved for women, with the investment also expected to support technology transfer, professional training and the development of specialised maritime skills.
He expressed confidence that Ghanaian workers would acquire internationally competitive expertise through the facility, opening up opportunities within the global ship repair and maintenance industry.
The President commended Prime Meridian, Shipwright and the financial institutions and other partners involved in the project.
Berth 19 expansion to increase cargo capacity
Alongside the dry dock development, President Mahama broke ground for the US$98 million expansion of Berth 19, which is expected to strengthen Takoradi Port’s capacity to handle dry bulk cargo.
The project is designed to respond to increasing demand for mineral exports and imports of bulk materials, particularly clinker used in cement manufacturing.
It is expected to be completed within 26 months.
President Mahama said the expansion formed part of the port’s transformation from a traditional export facility for commodities such as timber, cocoa, bauxite and manganese into a modern maritime centre handling containers, oil and gas services, imports and exports.
He recalled initiating the port’s expansion in 2012 and said subsequent investments, including dredging to accommodate vessels with drafts of up to 16 metres, had improved its ability to receive larger ships.
Western Railway Line to support mineral exports
The President also outlined government’s plans to prioritise the Western Railway Line under its new economy agenda.
The railway project will be implemented in two phases, with the first extending the line to Nyinahini to support bauxite transportation and the development of mineral resources in the area.
The second phase is expected to extend the railway through the Western Corridor to Hamile in the Upper West Region, creating a strategic connection to Burkina Faso.
According to President Mahama, the railway has strong commercial potential because of the volumes of manganese, bauxite and other minerals that could be transported to Ghana’s ports.
The line is also expected to facilitate container and general cargo transportation, reinforcing Takoradi’s role as a major logistics and export centre.
New ports to open alternative trade routes
President Mahama further disclosed that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had agreed to finance the proposed Esikuma Port project being led by LMI.
He said construction had commenced on the privately led project, while another port was planned for Debre in the Savannah Region.
The proposed facilities are expected to improve cargo movement along the Volta Corridor and provide landlocked Burkina Faso with alternative access to international trade routes through an inland terminal at Debre.
The initiative is expected to reduce transportation distances and improve regional logistics efficiency.
Mahama calls for long-term infrastructure financing
President Mahama linked the investments to his broader Accra Reset agenda, which he said seeks to strengthen African economic independence and reduce the continent’s reliance on external support.
He argued that high borrowing costs and risk premiums often make it difficult for African countries to finance major infrastructure projects with long gestation periods.
He therefore called for greater access to patient, long-term capital to support investments in ports, railways, roads and other critical infrastructure.
The President said the participation of financial institutions and pension fund investors in the Takoradi projects demonstrated the importance of mobilising domestic and private-sector financing for sustainable development.
He expressed optimism that the new dry dock, Berth 19 expansion and planned railway investments would generate employment, strengthen regional trade and improve Ghana’s competitiveness in the maritime industry.
