On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama officially broke ground for two major projects at the Port of Takoradi, representing a total investment of more than $235 million. The projects comprise an integrated ship repair and maintenance facility and the construction of Berth 19.
Known as Project Shiprite, the first project is being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Limited (PMD). This integrated facility will be dedicated to the repair and maintenance of cargo and offshore vessels. With an investment of $137 million, it aims to strengthen local and regional ship repair capacity and position Ghana as a leading maritime services hub in West Africa.
The second project, known as Berth 19, involves the construction of a 300-metre-long port facility designed to accommodate vessels of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes. Valued at $98.41 million, it is being financed from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) own resources. Its completion is expected to improve port operations, increase revenue and support the port’s future expansion plans.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Logistics Connectivity
Beyond port infrastructure, the Ghanaian government aims to improve connectivity between the port and economic centres in the country’s hinterland. On this occasion, President John Dramani Mahama announced that funding had been secured for the Western railway line, as well as several major highways, under the government’s Big Push programme.
These infrastructure developments are expected to facilitate the movement of goods to the hinterland and Sahelian countries, further strengthening the Port of Takoradi’s role in regional trade.
430 Jobs Expected, with Technology Transfer as a Priority
Project Shiprite is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities. The facility is scheduled to become operational within 18 months and will operate under a 25-year concession agreement. According to President Mahama, the facility will create 430 jobs, particularly for young Ghanaians.
“What pleases me the most is that it will create 430 jobs for our young people. This is all part of the Big Push and the reset agenda to create jobs,” he said.
The President also emphasised the need to address the shortage of local ship repair capacity. He recalled that many vessels, including oil rigs operating along the Gulf of Guinea coast and ships from Nigeria, are currently forced to travel to Europe or Durban, South Africa, for maintenance and repair services due to the lack of suitable facilities in the region.
For the Ghanaian President, this new facility will therefore address a strategic need and fill a significant gap in the regional maritime services market.
Reflecting on previous experiences, John Dramani Mahama also referred to the Tema Dry Dock Shipyard, built under the presidency of Ghana’s first Head of State, Kwame Nkrumah, and the management challenges it faced. He highlighted the private sector’s ability to effectively manage this type of infrastructure while reaffirming his confidence in Project Shiprite.
The President further urged stakeholders to prioritise local content and technology transfer to ensure that the skills acquired deliver lasting benefits to Ghanaian workers. According to him, mastering these technologies could also make local professionals more competitive in the international job market.
Finally, John Dramani Mahama expressed his gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom and all the partners supporting the implementation of these two projects.
Through these investments, Ghana aims to enhance the attractiveness of the Port of Takoradi, develop a strong domestic ship repair industry and consolidate its position in the maritime services sector in West Africa.
