Takoradi, Nov.17, GNA - The Takoradi Port is to benefit from a 250-million dollar expansion and modernization programme to make it the first choice of call for port users in the West African sub-region.

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways said facilities to be provided under the programme, scheduled to be completed by 2010 would include new berths for bulk cargoes, extension of the breakwater and container and break bulk storage facilities. The Minister said this at the launch of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Takoradi Port at Takoradi on Monday.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of people including workers, paramount chiefs, assembly members, personalities from the region and other dignitaries.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi said the Port would increase its cargo handling capacity from the current 3.4 million tonnes to more than six million tonnes when the programmes is completed.

"From its humble beginning in 1928, the Takoradi Port has served as a major gateway to the country and the sub-region", the minister noted, adding that, in the face of aggressive competition from Tema and Abidjan ports, it continues to grow stronger, effective and efficient in the discharge of its responsibilities.

The Minister said the Takoradi Port has contributed immensely to the promotion of the cocoa, timber and minerals industries by adopting efficient shipping practices to ensure that the country met export targets and deadlines.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi commended the management and staff of the Port for their dedicated service and expressed the government's determination to provide the necessary support to move the port to the "highest standard of total quality service delivery".

He said the port has been dredged from 9.5 meters to 10.4 at the quay and 10.3 meters at the buoys to 11 meters, while the lee breakwater is in the process of being repaired.

On port security, the Minister called on the law enforcement agencies at the port to co-ordinate their activities to check rampant incidents of stowing away through the Takoradi Port.

Recalling the recent "International Era Quality Award" in the Gold category won by the Takoradi port, the Minister hoped the workers would not relent in their efforts but continue to work harder to achieve more awards and recognition for the Port in the quest to make the country the maritime hub of the sub-region.

Handling of transit cargo increased from 19,000 containers in 2002 to about 100,000 containers in 2003, created 18,000 jobs and generated more than three billion cedis revenue for the nation.

Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister paid tribute to Governors Gordon Guggisberg and Arden Clarke and the country's former Heads of State for the expansion of the Takoradi Port to its present state, and said without the port, Ghana would not have been where it is now. He urged workers of the port and the people of the region to reflect on the "fortunes and misfortunes of the port and make critical appraisal as to its success and failures and come out with strategies that would enable it to face challenges ahead.

Mr. Nestor Galley, Director of the Takoradi Port noted with satisfaction the government's efforts to rehabilitate the Port to enable it to give more efficient service and pledged workers determination to give of their best. He commended the Port's stakeholders for their support to ensure that it continues to operate efficiently in the face of competition. Mr. Benjamin Owusu-Mensah, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), who presided over the ceremony announced that tenders for the major rehabilitation of the Takoradi Port would be opened this month for work to begin.

He called on stakeholders to join hands to market the port to the sub-region and beyond.

Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi later opened a photo exhibition mounted by the Port's management on the history, facilities and operations of the Takoradi Port. Workers mounted a float through the principal streets of Takoradi and Sekondi.