The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has officially commissioned the Atlantis terminal services, which is a part of the expansion project being undertaken by IBISTEK Company at the Takoradi port. The Atlantis container services, is a multi-purpose on dock terminal that is going to change the face of the Takoradi port forever.

His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the partnership between Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and IBISTEK, for the successful arrangement to have a long awaited expansion project at the port of Takoradi come to fruition.

The President noted that it was necessary for the country to advance its port infrastructure to be competitive among others in the sub-region.

“Developments in our region, I am talking about ports expansion, port modernization process, taking place in Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Senegal, in our region, imposes upon us the need for us also to modernize our infrastructure and enhance our port capabilities and capacities”, President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated.

He indicated also that, the expansion project at the Takoradi port will create wealth for the state as well as employment opportunities for Ghanaians.

“This project will have an extremely significant role in the future of our economy in order to further our goal of creating a competitive economy and generate jobs and create wealth for our people”, he added.

The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah lauded the country’s premier port for modernizing its facilities, especially in containerization in order to match demands of the global scene.

“The trend in sea freight today, is moving towards the containerization. As we speak, even the cutting of timber is sometimes carried through containers. The ministry therefore saw the need for the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to respond to these emerging opportunities and challenges this new trend to undertake the expansion project to position the Takoradi port to meet the needs of the industry”, Minister of transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah said.

Edward Osei, Director of Tema port and Acting Director General of GPHA, expressed pride in the country’s commitment in advancing Ghana’s port facilities which he said would boost Ghana’s economy.

He assured that, GPHA will continue to support IBISTEK which is a wholly Ghanaian company in facilitating the port of Takoradi expansion project.
“This project is intended to make the port of Takoradi more competitive with other ports in the sub-region and to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s economic development. I can assure you that we, at GPHA will give IBISTEK every support that they need” he expressed.

Kwame Gyan, Chairman of IBISTEK CROWLEY, expressed gratitude to the President for overseeing the full concession of the Port expansion project to IBISTEK, which is a company that is hundred percent owned by Ghanaians.
He added that the New Multipurpose Terminal whose construction has already taken off is poised to yield tremendous results that would transform the Port of Takoradi.

“Mr. President, based on the sterling performance of IBISTEK LIMITED, GPHA signed another concession in August 2017, for the development of the container and multi-purpose terminal, which is expected to give the port of Takoradi its biggest facelift since it was constructed in 1928”.

President commissions TACOTEL

Meanwhile, as part of the President’s Tour of the Western region, he commissioned the Off-dock Container Terminal, TACOTEL which forms part of the expansion of the Takoradi Port.

The facility which is about 6 minutes drive from the port of Takoradi has an operational floor capacity of 8700m² with a storage capacity of 7,500 TEUs to handle container devanning operations.

The project is a partnership between Ibistek Limited, a Ghanaian-owned company, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

The facility can boast of modern container handling equipment like fork lifts, reach stackers and a canteen to cater for port clients who throng the terminal to demand for services.

The facility has offices for all state agencies needed for the smooth clearance of cargoes like Customs, Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Plant Quarantine, BNI, National Security, Police etc.