President Mahama Commissions Tema Port Expansion : Ghana Stakes Claim as West Africa’s Maritime Gateway

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday 13th November, 2025 , officially commissioned the expanded Tema Port, describing the multibillion-dollar project as “one of the most ambitious infrastructure developments in Africa’s maritime sector” and a major step toward positioning Ghana as the gateway to West Africa.

The ceremony marked the completion of phases one and two of the landmark public–private partnership between Meridian Port Services (MPS), APM Terminals and other partners. The collaboration, driven by an innovative financing model, required no government funding — a point President Mahama highlighted as proof of Ghana’s ability to leverage private capital for national development.

A New Era for Ghana’s Maritime Competitiveness

Addressing stakeholders, President Mahama said the facility represents more than an upgrade to Ghana’s port infrastructure. “This project is more than a Ghanaian achievement. It is an African statement,” he declared, noting the port’s role in boosting regional trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose secretariat is based in Accra.

With enhanced capacity and advanced systems, Tema Port now functions as the preferred first-call terminal for major shipping lines entering the Gulf of Guinea. The expanded terminal allows mother vessels to offload containers in Tema, which are then redistributed by feeder vessels to ports in Monrovia, Freetown, Dakar, Douala and other West African destinations.

The project also strengthens Ghana’s position as the primary transit hub for landlocked neighbors Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

Thousands of jobs have been created during the construction and operational phases of the expansion, supporting a wide network of industries including transport, logistics, warehousing, engineering, hospitality and maintenance.

President Mahama said the development has triggered “a ripple effect of enterprise and innovation in our economic ecosystem,” contributing to national economic transformation and diversification.

Showcasing Ghanaian Innovation

In a notable milestone for local technological capacity, the artificial intelligence algorithm driving the port’s operational systems was developed by young Ghanaian engineers.

The President also announced that additional will arrive by early 2027, a move expected to boost efficiency and help Tema Port achieve its target of becoming “the fastest-turnaround port in Africa.”

Future Outlook: Automation and Sustainability

Calling for continued investment, President Mahama encouraged stakeholders to embrace next-generation technologies and automation to keep pace with global trade dynamics.

Reflecting on the project’s long-term significance, he said: “A hundred years from now, I wonder how many of us will still be alive, but our children and grandchildren will be here operating these ports.”

Government Commitment

President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating a stable and predictable environment for major private-sector investments. He formally declared phases one and two of the port expansion commissioned, signalling the beginning of a new chapter in Ghana’s maritime development.

The expanded Tema Port stands as a symbol of what coordinated public policy, private investment and national vision can achieve — and a blueprint for future infrastructure projects across Africa.