The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) with assistance from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has drawn up master plans for Takoradi and Tema ports to facilitate their efficiency.

Mr. N.P. Galley, Director of Takoradi Port disclosed this at the inauguration of Combined Bulk Service (CBS) Limited, a burging and stevedoring company at the Takoradi port on Monday.

Mr. Galley said projects under the master plan include the provision of berths for manganese, bauxite, clinker and oil.

There will also be three multi-purpose berths and two container berths with 30,000 metre storage capacity, container handling cranes and other equipment, as well as bulk loading and unloading facilities.

Mr. Galley said the projects including the provision of equipment would cost about 250 million dollars.

He said while the authority is sourcing for funds for the projects, it had also embarked upon a number of other projects to improve the ports.

These include the rehabilitation of two buoys and four berths.

He said limited dredging had been carried out from the authority's own resources at 54 million dollars.

Mr. Galley said the deepening draft at the berth has attracted bigger vessels to the Takoradi port, adding that GPHA is committed to improving facilities and conditions at the port and appealed to all stakeholders to join in the marketing pursuits.

The Deputy Western Regional Minister, Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, said the Western regional Co-ordinating Council had embarked on a series of investment to create an enabling and safe investment environment for business and improve the economy of the region.