In the midst of this economic quagmire Ghana finds itself in, the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, has once again commissioned another project. Today, Nana Addo commissioned a new state-of-the-art Dry Bulk Terminal; secondly commissioned the Atlantic Terminal Services (ATS) Container and Multipurpose Terminal. He also cut the sod for the construction of an Oil and Gas Services Terminal.
The President summarized what he did in Western region today on his official Facebook page. Check it out.
On Thursday, 8th December 2022, I was in Takoradi, capital of the Western Region, for four good reasons – firstly to commission a new state-of-the art Dry Bulk Terminal; secondly to commission the Atlantic Terminal Services (ATS) Container and Multipurpose Terminal; thirdly to cut the sod for the construction of an Oil and Gas Services Terminal; and lastly to launch Prime Meridian Dock (PMD) Company’s Floating Dry-dock.
Government is determined to improve maritime trade, and position it as a major economic growth engine. The Port of Takoradi was conceived mainly because its initiators thought it was an ideal location for the export of raw materials with which this region is endowed.
But, as I have said on many occasions, the idea that we can project our development goals on the production and export of raw materials, and still think we can rid ourselves of the shackles of underdevelopment and poverty, is not a well-grounded one.
The benefits of these projects are considered. The enhanced cargo and container handling capacity of the Port will trigger improved service delivery, and lower tariffs to the advantage of the Ghanaian and West African economies. It will, ultimately, ensure a competitive environment for maritime trade.
