John Mahama breaks ground for $235m maritime projects at Takoradi Port

President John Mahama has officially broken ground for two major maritime infrastructure projects at the Takoradi Port, totaling an investment of approximately $235 million. The initiatives consist of the $137 million "Project Shiprite" floating dry dock and a $98.41 million expansion of Berth 19. These developments are designed to modernize Ghana's maritime sector, enhance bulk cargo handling, and establish the Western Region as a premier regional hub for ship repairs.

Project Shiprite, a specialized ship repair facility, is being developed under a 25-year concession by Prime Meridian Docks with support from Afreximbank and the United Kingdom. The facility is expected to create 430 direct jobs, with a specific commitment to ensure 30% of these roles are designated for women. By providing modern dry-docking capacity locally, the project aims to reduce the need for vessels operating in Ghanaian and neighboring waters to seek maintenance services in distant international ports, thereby retaining economic value within the region.

Simultaneously, the expansion of Berth 19, funded by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), will involve the construction of a 300-metre-long berth dedicated to dry bulk cargo. This project is slated for completion within 26 months and is specifically engineered to improve the efficiency of mineral exports. President Mahama noted that the expansion is a response to increasing global demands for Ghana's natural resources and will allow the port to accommodate significantly larger vessels, boosting the overall throughput of the facility.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Mahama framed these investments as critical components of his "Accra Reset" agenda, which seeks to reduce economic dependency through industrialization and improved infrastructure. He also highlighted the synergy between port upgrades and the development of the Western Railway Line, which will link inland mineral resources directly to the maritime hub. The President emphasized that these projects represent a strategic shift toward long-term infrastructure financing and international partnerships that secure Ghana’s position as a dominant player in regional trade.