President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, November 10, broke ground for two projects at Takoradi Port that together are worth about US$235 million: a ship repair and maintenance facility known as Project Shiprite, and a new deep-water berth, Berth-19.
The combined figure is the sum of the two separately announced investments, US$137 million for Shiprite and US$98.41 million for Berth-19, the Ghana News Agency and Graphic reported.
Project Shiprite
Shiprite is being developed by Prime Meridian Docks Ghana Ltd under a 25-year concession from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), according to GNA. The first phase is expected to take 18 months.
3News reported that the facility is designed to service ships of up to 200 metres. OnuaOnline reported that the project had reached financial close with backing from PIDG's InfraCo and ARM-Harith.
In his remarks, reported by GNA, Mr Mahama described the Tema Dry Docks as having been mismanaged. GNA's report also referred to a partner shipyard in the Netherlands.
Berth-19
Berth-19 is a 300-metre berth able to take vessels of up to 75,000 deadweight tonnes, GNA reported. It is being funded from GPHA's own resources and is expected to take 26 months to complete.
The US$98.41 million figure was also given by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu in an official post, 3News reported.
Jobs and training
President Mahama said Shiprite would create 430 jobs, with 30 per cent of them reserved for women, according to GNA. Prime Meridian Docks Ghana's chief executive, Stanley Ahorlu, put the figure at more than 450 jobs, OnuaOnline reported.
GNA also reported that PIDG had approved US$300,000 for a two-year training programme for women linked to the project.
The President also referred to Phase 1 of the Western Railway line, which is planned to run to the bauxite deposits at Nyinahin, GNA reported.
GhEcho will follow progress on both projects.