Akufo-Addo cuts Sod for Takoradi Port expansion project
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said a self-reliance economy was cardinal to achieving the dream of “Ghana beyond Aid”.
He therefore extolled the value of hard work, creativity and collaboration exhibited by Ibistek and its implementing agencies in developing a world class container terminal to solve issues of congestion at the Takoradi port, meet growing demand in contemporary shipping and maritime sector and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.
The President during the sod cutting ceremony for the expansion project being carried out by Ibistek with funding from Calbank and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment fund said it was the dream of the forefathers that Ghana lived beyond continual soliciting for external support in its activities, “Self-reliance economy, has always being the dream of our forefathers”.
The project is to help develop a container and multipurpose terminal.
He was happy that Ghanaian enterprises and entrepreneurs such as Calbank, Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund and Justmoh among others could team up and come up with a $500 million project adding, “I believe this project would be managed efficiently to enable the country to participate in modern competitive business environment”.
“We need a competitive economy that could generate jobs and create wealth for the people and this project is one significant gesture we are witnessing today”, he added.
The President noted that with modern ports in countries like Togo, Benin, Senegal and Cote Divoire, Ghana could not afford to be left out in this massive economy drive for development, “We are working to fulfil our goal of competitive economy”.
The President used the opportunity to also commission the rehabilitated Road from Paa Grant roundabout through to the New Takoradi to Gate ten as well as the commissioning of TACOTEL.
Mr Kwaku Asiamah, the Minister for Transport said Ghana’s sea port would continue to get its fair share in infrastructure development.
He said the Ministry considers Ghana’s Ports as key assets in the economic development of the country.
The Ibistek limited and GPHA entered into a concession agreement in January 2016 to develop an inland clearing Depot.
The 27 acres land on which the project is sited had already being developed into an ultra-modern container terminal and was currently in operation.
The Container and multipurpose terminal comprise of a container berth of 16 metres and a multi-purpose 14 metres chart datum.
Ibistek limited is a 100 percent Ghanaian private company that had dared its head into the maritime sector.
Source: GNA