President Mahama Commissions Phase 1 and 2 of Tema Port Expansion Project

President John Dramani Mahama has commissioned phases 1 and 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project, describing it as the realization of a bold national vision to transform Ghana into a logistics and maritime hub for West Africa.

The President stated that the port was built through a public-private partnership with no government funding, emphasizing that the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) is a shareholder receiving dividends and monthly royalty payments.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Mahama recounted how he challenged Meridian Port Services (MPS) partners and GPHA in 2016 to build a new port without government funding.

“I said, remember that government of Ghana would not put a dollar in it. We don’t have money to build a new port, so you have to go find the money yourselves. And they said, yes, we can do it if you support us. I said, you have my full support,” he stated.

The President revealed that in November 2016, he operated the bulldozer that pushed the first rocks into the ocean to mark the start of construction.

He noted that today, GPHA is a shareholder in the partnership, receives dividends from profits made on the port, and receives monthly royalty payments as landlord of the port.

President Mahama disclosed that the first terminal MPS built in the old port is now wholly owned and operated by GPHA, making revenues from MPS a significant percentage of GPHA’s total revenues.

“This has been a win-win partnership. I can understand that sometimes people try to play politics, especially when elections are coming up. I was accused of selling a port that did not exist. This port did not exist. How I could have sold it, I don’t understand,” he said.

The President stated that Tema Port has become the preferred first stop for all ships coming to the Gulf Coast of Africa, with the biggest vessels in the world that enter major ports in Dubai and Los Angeles now docking at Tema.

He explained that from Tema Port, feeder vessels take containers to Monrovia, Freetown, all the way to Dakar, and eastward to Douala in Cameroon, making Tema the hub and gateway to the entire Gulf Coast.

President Mahama revealed that the port uses an AI algorithm developed by young Ghanaians from the University of Ghana, Legon, and that several of those youth who developed the algorithm are now working at the port.

“This port is an AI port. Algorithms show it how to manage the containers and make everything predictable so that work goes on faster,” he stated.

The President disclosed that he has challenged MPS Managing Director Mohamed Samara to train young Ghanaian seamen and women to work on the feeder vessels that redistribute containers from Tema to other ports.

He noted that Samara has agreed to call a meeting with the Maritime University and shipping lines to explore training opportunities for Ghanaian youth.

President Mahama announced that more cranes are expected to arrive early next year, with the last batch arriving in 2027, which will make Tema one of the top five most efficient ports in Africa with the fastest turnaround times.

“Ships will be able to enter, offload and load in the shortest possible time you can find in any port in Africa. And so GPHA and partners have positioned Tema as the hub for Africa and taking advantage of our strategic position,” he said.

The President revealed that a private sector maritime operator has approached government to establish a ferry service for West African countries, with ferries carrying vehicles, passengers and goods between Ghana and other West African states.

He explained that the ferries will allow people to drive their cars onto the vessel and sail to destinations like Apapa in Nigeria, avoiding road checkpoints.

President Mahama noted that beyond the infrastructure, the project has focused on people, work, dignity and opportunity, with thousands of Ghanaians gaining employment during construction and current operation.

He stated that the port has become a catalyst for supporting industries, including transport, warehousing, hospitality and maintenance, fostering enterprise and innovation in the economic ecosystem.

The President emphasized that with the African Continental Free Trade Area based in Accra, Tema Port is strategically positioned as one of the key arteries of intra-African commerce.

“This facility therefore cements Ghana’s role as a central player in Africa’s trade transformation, a vital hub driving integration, innovation and shared prosperity across our region,” he declared.

President Mahama paid tribute to the memory of Alaji Asuma Banda, who was chairman of MPS for many years, and the late Dzifa Attivor, former Minister of Transport who worked on the new port.

He thanked GPHA, Africa Global Logistics, APM Terminals and MPS for their collaboration, describing it as exemplifying the best of public-private partnership rooted in trust, shared vision and professionalism.

The President urged MPS shareholders and partners to continue their investment efforts, enlarging capacity, embracing automation, and adopting next-generation technologies to meet the needs of modern trade.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD