Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (4th from right) with some with the visitors
Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah has appealed to investors to take full advantage of expansion works currently ongoing at the Port of Takoradi to invest in the region, particularly in its capital, Sekondi-Takoradi.
The minister said this when he inspected the progress of work on the Oil and Gas Services Terminal under construction at the Port of Takoradi on Wednesday, 10, January, 2024.
The approximately $98million project being financed by Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA), forms part of expansion works to make the port of Takoradi more competitive.
The project is expected to be completed by September 2024.
The oil and gas services terminal will provide 21 hectares of serviced terminal area and a 550-metre (m) primary quay wall facility.
The quay area will provide -10m water depth at berths and 40-metre quay apron for terminal operations.
The serviced terminal area is being developed to accommodate oil and gas services providers, fabrication companies, exploration company partners and their suppliers for supply base activities.
“We will use this opportunity to appeal for more investment into the Region. Western Region contributes 50 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). What it means is that, when you bring your money to the Region, you have access to 50 per cent of Ghana’s money”, the minister indicated.
The Regional Minister also visited the Dry Bulk Terminal which was inaugurated in December 2022 by President Akufo-Addo which has now drastically reduced loading time from 14 days to 4 days at the Port.
He further explained that there are terminals under construction which includes, Atlantic Terminal Services, a container terminal development which forms part of the container and multi-purpose terminal concession partnership between GPHA, IbisTek Limited, and AFC-Equity of the Africa Finance Corporation.
“Also under construction are the prime meridian docks, a private investment for ship and rig repairs in the Port of Takoradi, a gas terminal and a fuel terminal to receive bigger fuel tankers”, he added.
According to the Minister, these investments at the Port of Takoradi are an intentional move from the government to create more productivity and job opportunities for the people of the Western Region and Ghana as a whole.
“You have seen the kind of investment that government have done in the Takoradi Port. It clearly shows that we know what we are about as a government to create more job opportunities”.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi