President John Dramani Mahama cut the sod for the commencement of the $1.5 billion Tema Port Expansion Project on Wednesday.

The project, which is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), representing the Ghana Government and Meridian Ports Services (MPS), involves an upgrade and significant expansion of Ghana’s main seaport.

The expanded port will have a 1.4 km quay with four deep berths equipped with sophisticated container handling gantry cranes and terminal operating systems.

Tema Port will be able to handle some of the world’s biggest container ships that transport up to 18,000 containers after the completion of the project.

President John Mahama, in his address at the launch on Wednesday, said government’s intention has been to position the ports of Ghana as a trade and investment gateway to the West African sub-region.

He said the project will translate into 400,000 jobs along the logistics chain, stating that the investment being made would change the dynamics of the country’s maritime industry over the next 100 years.

The first phase of the project will involve the construction of a breakwater, dredging the entrance channel to accommodate larger ships, building a quay wall and reclaiming the terminal area behind the quay wall.

Richard Anamoo, Director General of the Tema Port, expressed his delight at the initiative and reiterated the authority’s commitment to contributing relevant and tangible resources to improve the economy of Ghana.

Mohamed Samara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meridian Port Services (MPS) said, “We have selected top contractors and consultants for this project and will be placing a strong emphasis on local content. By the time it is finished, this sea port will be a world class port that could match the capacity of world renowned ports and compete most favourably with the largest ports on this continent.”

Chairman of the MPS Board, Alhaji Banda said, “This project will save Ghana’s trade and industries an estimated US$400 million a year in sea freight and logistics charges.

Ghana will then become a much more cost-effective trade destination and make shippers in Ghana internationally recognized as being much more competitive on a global scale.”

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, Minister of Transport, called on individuals and institutions, who might be affected by the project to safeguard Ghana’s interest.